PLEASE NOTE: This does NOT replace the Cheatsheet ranking. The Cheatsheet
rankings are the final say on where we see a player for that week. The
Matchup Breakdowns are simply one more tool in the box when it comes to
helping choose your lineup.

Also note, just because a player has a "bad" matchup, it does NOT mean he's
not a starter in your league. If Peyton Manning is playing the toughest pass
defense in the league, that just means he's got a tough matchup that week.
He's also your starter unless you're loaded at QB. In the same way, if the
worst QB on your roster has a "great" matchup that week, it doesn't
necessarily mean he's your starter. It means we think he'll fare better than
normal that week.

Andre Ellington continues to be the featured back in Arizona, and he combined for 134 yards from scrimmage and a TD last week (21/95/0 rushing with 4/39/1 receiving) - Marion Grice did claim a short TD run with 5/12/1 in his new role as the backup to Ellington, but Grice is no threat to take over the starting role. Ellington is one of the steadiest NFL starting running backs this year - start him if you've got him.

The Ram's rush D is ranked 29th in the NFL averaging 136.2 yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given out to date. They coughed up just 21/80/0 rushing the the 49ers last week, though, but allowed 33/140/3 to the Chiefs just two weeks ago. This defensive front is inconsistent (and usually pretty soft).

Advantage, Arizona.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Atlanta tops the NFL averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and they have enjoyed great success in the running phase of the game during the past few weeks. They posted 26/165/1 against the Lions last week, led by Michael Vick's 10/80/0, while Warrick Dunn punched in the score (11/51/1 rushing with 3/20/0 receiving). Jerious Norwood (5/34/0 rushing) tweaked his knee during the closing minutes of the game and wasn't able to contribute much - keep an eye on his practice status this week. Bad news for the OL came out this week when RG Kynan Forney, perhaps the best blocker on the line, was placed on IR due to a shoulder injury - he'll probably undergo corrective surgery in the near future. LG Matt Lehr remains on suspension this week, so the team is getting thin at the OG position until Lehr returns to the team next week.

The Browns are 29th in the NFL vs. opposing rushers, handing over yards at a clip of 142.9 per game. They have allowed 7 rushing scores to date (in the middle of the NFL range from 1-13). Last week, San Diego threw down 23/190/3 against Cleveland, exploiting their team weakness vs. the rush.

This is a great matchup for the powerful Atlanta rushing attack.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Michael Turner has come on strongly during the last three games, with 54/191/1 rushing and 2/12/0 receiving, while Jacquizz Rodgers has also gotten more involved in the mix, with 13/58/0 rushing and 12/94/0 receiving during that same span of time. Last week, Turner posted a 100+-yards rushing game, his second of the season, with 20/102/1 rushing and one target for zero receptions, while Rodgers threw down 3/0/0 rushing but added 4/53/0 receiving. Jason Snelling remains a role player with 1/5/0 rushing and 3/1/0 receiving vs. Dallas last week. Right now, Turner and Rodgers are making the Falcons' backfield fairly scary for opposing defenders.

The Saints' rush D is far from scary this year, averaging 176.5 yards allowed per game (worst in the NFL), with nine rushing scores given up over the course of the season. Last Monday night, Philadelphia racked up 29/221/0 on the ground - basically, teams run the ball at will when New Orleans is in town.

Advantage, Atlanta.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Jamal Lewis has been sparked by the turnover at offensive coordinator, as coach Billick tends to utilize his skills more than Jim Fassel elected to earlier this season. He has 55/181/1 rushing and 3/15/0 receiving during the past 3 weeks (2 games) to rank 13th in fantasy points per game at his position. He's improved in the production department markedly under Billick's guidance.

Tennessee got torched for 37 points last week by the Jags, allowing 30/173/0 on the ground (5.8 yards per carry). They are the league's 31st ranked rush D handing over yards at a rate of 163.5 per contest, with 10 rushing scores given up to date (tied for 3rd most in the NFL to date). Only San Francisco (238) has allowed more points this season than the Titans (216). Tennessee's defense is weak.

This is a great matchup for Lewis and the Ravens.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Willis McGahee did what he could to help his team (12/50/1 rushing and 3/12/0 receiving), but when Pittsburgh was up by 35-7 at the end of the first half, the Ravens' offense became one-dimensional and was basically shut down during the second half of the game. Over the past 3 weeks, McGahee has scored 1 rushing TD per contest, although he's only been over 100 yards rushing once during that span (19/114/1 rushing and 2/1/0 receiving vs. Buffalo). The Ravens' offense is grinding to a halt entering the second half of the NFL season.

The Bengals' rush D is horrible, though, which should give McGahee a boost in front of the home crowd this week - they are currently 28th in the NFL averaging 143.6 rushing yards allowed per game, with 6 rushing scores surrendered to date. Buffalo posted 35/176/1 against this unit last week - they have held only 1 opponent under 100 yards rushing all year, and have given up 160 yards and 176 yards rushing during their most recent 2 contests.

McGahee was limited by the Steelers defense and circumstances last week - this week, he's got a great chance to rebound in a big way against the lame Bengals.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The Ravens destroyed the Browns 34-3 the last time these teams met in week three - the Ravens rushed for 28/142/3 as a team during the game, with 7/67/2 rushing for Willis McGahee and 11/48/1 rushing with 4/27/0 receiving for Ray Rice. Since that early game, Rice has come to the forefront of this attack, notching 45/209/4 rushing with 23/228/0 receiving over the past four weeks vs. 9/2/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving for Willis McGahee in that same time frame - McGahee didn't touch the ball last week while Rice gained 12/48/1 rushing and 8/87/0 receiving vs. Cincinnati. It was Rice's third straight game with a rushing TD - he's been consistently good during the second quarter of the season (all year long, really).

The Cleveland Browns have one of the worst rush D's in the NFL (second-worst only to Buffalo - both teams have allowed 12 rushing TDs through eight games), currently averaging 170.5 rushing yards allowed per game. During the second quarter of the season, the Browns led the league with 1660 total yards surrendered from scrimmage, and gave up 657 of those yards on the ground (164.25 rushing yards per game on average). Chicago creamed them 30-6 back in week eight with 37/170/2 rushing as a team.

This is a great week to be a Ray Rice owner.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Willis McGahee suffered a broken rib during the game last week, according to coach Dick Jauron "Injury-wise it's a broken ninth rib. My understanding is we'll just see where it goes. It's painful obviously and they'll do some more tests today. He's scheduled for a scan today to examine it further." Further examinations revealed 3 broken ribs, and McGahee is out indefinitely - meaning that Anthony Thomas will be asked to carry the load for the Bills. Thomas stepped in and contributed against Green Bay after McGahee went down, with 20/95/1 rushing and 1/6/0 receiving - he's been a starter in this league before and should be able to contribute to the Bills' effort.

Indianapolis ranks dead last vs. the rush, with an average of 165.4 yards allowed per game, and they are tied for 3rd-most TDs given up in this phase, with 10 surrendered to date. They allowed 33/148/2 to the Patriots last week, and 36/227/3 to the Broncos the week before that - the Colts are a pushover for opposing running backs.

He's not LaDainian Tomlinson, but this is a great matchup for Thomas.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Marshawn Lynch dominated the Bengals last week, with 29/153/1 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving to his credit - he's scored 2 TDs over the last 3 games he's played, and has seen a minimum of 22 touches on the football during that time span (21/80/0 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving vs. the Jets 2 weeks ago) - Lynch is on fire heading into the second half of the NFL season.

The Dolphins are in complete disarray at the season's midpoint, allowing an average of 160.5 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL), with 11 rushing scores surrendered to date. Before their week 9 bye, the Dolphins forked over 37/189/1 rushing to the Giants in London. Miami's rush D is awful.

This is a great matchup for Lynch and the Bills.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

C.J. Spiller (12/116/0 rushing with 2/39/0 receiving) and Fred Jackson (16/77/0 rushing with 1/22/0 receiving) both had strong games against the Chiefs last week - all told, the Bills ran the ball 38 times for 241 yards - but neither back managed to penetrate the end zone during the 13-23 loss to the Chiefs. Spiller stated after the game that his sore ankle is just about 100% healed - the Bills will field a formidable rushing attack with both Spiller and Jackson playing at a high level entering the second half of the season.

The Steelers' rush D has allowed 197 yards rushing and three rushing scores to two teams - IN A ROW - with 35/197/3 given over the New England last week and 38/197/3 allowed to Oakland two games ago. It's fair to say that the Steelers' defense is in a state of collapse after coughing up seven TDs and 55 points to the Patriots last Sunday.

The Bills' backs have an excellent matchup this week, despite traveling to Heinz Field.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Stephen Davis has slowed down this season, but he still has a nose for the end-zone, with 12/48/2 rushing last week and 133/406/11 rushing (5/45/0 receiving) so far this season. At the goal line, his is the Panther's #1 option so far during 2005. DeShaun Foster has compiled 28/74/0 rushing and 3/24/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks (2 games)- he really struggled against the Bucs last week with 16/23/0 rushing and 2/16/0 receiving, but he's not the first (or last) RB to have trouble moving the ball vs Tampa this year. As regular readers are well aware, the Panthers are at the bottom of the league in yards per carry this season, averaging 3.0 per tote right now - the OL isn't opening up much in the way of holes for the backs to exploit, especially against better defenses like Tampa.

The Jets are weak vs. opposing running backs this year, giving up an average of 139.6 yards per game on the ground (30th in the NFL), with 11 rushing TDs given up to date. They coughed up 35/133/3 to the Chargers last week, and have averaged 169 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games) - nobody is afraid to run the ball at the Jets this season, friends.

Davis and Foster should enjoy strong performances against the weak Jets, despite the poor run-blocking up front.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Carolina comes off a bye week, fresh and rested, just in time to face a sagging Raiders' defense that was just blasted for 57/252/1 by Atlanta (in McAfee Coliseum) last week. Uh oh, Raiders' fans.

The Panthers plucked Arizona for a victory before the bye week, posting 29/113/1 rushing as a team - DeAngelo Williams led the team with 17/108/1 rushing and added 2/15/0 receiving, while Jonathan Stewart was quiet with 8/10/0 rushing and 1/0/0 receiving. To date, the Panthers are tied for 24th in the NFL averaging 3.7 yards per carry, but Williams was at 6.4 per tote 2 weeks ago. The Panthers are going strong entering the 2nd half of the year.

The Raiders were horrid last week, as noted above. The defense was on the field for 45:15 of the 60 minutes played (their offense stunk, too, in other words). To date, the Raiders are 30th in the NFL averaging 157.6 rushing yards allowed per game (30th in the NFL), with 12 rushing scores handed over (2nd most in the NFL so far).

This should be a great week to start Panther backs.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

The Panthers gained 25/144/1 rushing as a team when they faced Atlanta during week two - DeAngelo Williams posted 17/69/1 rushing and 3/32/0 receiving to lead the stable, while Jonathan Stewart gained 9/65/0 rushing with 3/14/0 receiving. The Panthers lost 20-28, but Williams was a worthwhile fantasy starter that day.

Over the past four weeks, the Panthers' rushing attack has surged, with Williams leading the charge (90/548/5 rushing and 9/82/0 receiving in the last four weeks, with 21/149/2 rushing and 2/12/0 receiving vs. the Saints last week). Stewart managed 13/24/0 rushing vs. New Orleans and has 54/246/3 rushing with 5/34/0 receiving over the past four weeks - Williams is the 4th-ranked fantasy back during that time frame while Stewart is the 21st-best back in PPR formats.

The Falcons' rush D is currently ranked 24th in the NFL averaging 123.5 yards allowed per game, with six rushing TDs given up over eight games. They've stuck to that pace in the second quarter of the season with an average of 120 rushing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks, and they allowed the Redskins 32/136/1 in their most recent contest. Most of the time, it's relatively easy to run the ball on the Falcons. 'We are getting ready to enter the third quarter of the season,' LB Mike Peterson said after the win over Washington last week. 'We had a little good and a little bad. You earn everything you get in this league. We are 5-3 and we know that we can get better.' Peterson has one thing right, the Falcons' rush D definitely has room for improvement.

Williams and Stewart are rolling entering week 10 (especially Williams), and they should have a very productive day against the sub-par Atlanta defense.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Cedric Benson has underwhelmed us all year long (13/50/0 rushing and 2/10/0 receiving vs. Detroit most recently) - it's been 6 weeks since he rushed for over 100 yards, he has 2 rushing TDs and 0 receiving TDs this year, and boasts 149/466/2 rushing with 14/104/0 receiving to date. Adrian Peterson continues to eat into this touches during 3rd-down and 2-minute drill situations (2/11/0 rushing and 6/41/0 receiving vs. Detroit) and it looks like the team will continue to parse out the touches based on down and distance - in other words, Benson is stuck in a running back by committee at the half-way point of the season.

The Raiders' rush D has been dreadful all year long, averaging 152.5 yards allowed per contest (30th in the NFL), with 12 rushing TDs handed over to date. They coughed up 39/178/2 to a Houston attack headlined by Ron Dayne last week, folks - enough said.

Benson and Peterson have a great matchup to work with this week. If Benson is going to return to 100+ yards rushing in a game, this one looks favorable for him to do so.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Matt Forte had a big game against the Packers back in Week 4, with 23/122/0 rushing and 5/49/0 receiving - it wasn't his fault his team lost 17-38. Now the Bears get to travel to Lambeau Field in hopes of evening the series.

The Bears have dropped two straight games to fall to 3-5 before last week's bye - however, Forte is going strong with 19/114/0 rushing and 6/54/1 receiving at New England two weeks ago. He's the second-best fantasy running back in PPR leagues with 130/562/3 rushing and 58/490/3 receiving to his credit so far this year.

The Packers' rush D is atrocious this season, ranking 32nd in the NFL averaging 153.5 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores surrendered to date. In their last game, Green Bay gave up 31/193/2 rushing to the Saints, after allowing 25/108/0 to the Panthers two contests ago.

This is a great matchup for Forte and the Bears.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

The Browns and Bengals clash in a key AFC North matchup on Thursday Night Football - however, it looks like Giovani Bernard (hip injury) will be sidelined again for this contest. Jeremy Hill (24/154/2 rushing with 1/9/0 receiving vs. Jacksonville) did a fine job standing in for Bernard last week, and the Bengals should still have a reliable rushing attack to deploy vs. Cleveland on Thursday.

The Browns' rush D is ranked 30th in the NFL averaging 139.6 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores handed out to date. Tampa had 26/113/0 rushing at Cleveland last week - Oakland managed 22/71/0 two games ago.

DeMarco Murray continues to deliver strong results for Dallas, with 22/139/0 rushing vs. Seattle last week, and 55/466/1 rushing with 11 targets for 5/45/0 receiving to his credit over the last three games. He's averaged 8.5 yards per rush during that three game span, friends. Though Felix Jones may try to return to action during week 10, we think that Dallas has settled on Murray as their featured back for the rest of the season. Jones will return to the change-of-pace role that he's filled during past seasons with the Cowboys. Murray has simply been too good for Dallas to give Jones another crack at leading the rushing attack.

The Bills' rush D played down to their usual form last week, giving up 39/126/2 rushing to Shonn Greene and company. Buffalo averages 120.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with ten rushing scores given up through eight contests - they don't scare opposing running backs, friends.

This is a great matchup for Murray to exploit.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Dallas is hoping that Tony Romo can play on Sunday in London, although early reports on his back haven't been encouraging. Without Romo in the mix last week, DeMarco Murray was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season as Arizona stacked the box to stop the run (and Brandon Weeden couldn't make them pay for so doing). Murray's 'bad' day was still respectable (19/79/0 rushing with 4/11/0 receiving), but it wasn't the points fest his spoiled fantasy owners are used to seeing. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's Players in the News for the latest on Romo's practice status as the weekend approaches.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have given up 34/191/2 rushing to Cincinnati's backup Jeremy Hill and company, and 24/148/0 to Miami's stable of backs over the past two weeks - they are vulnerable in this phase of the game. Jacksonville ranks 24th in the NFL averaging 123.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores allowed this season.

Dallas and Murray should bounce back big on Sunday in London - advantage, Dallas.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Ronnie Hillman tweaked an ankle at New England last week and sat out the fourth quarter after the Patriots put the game out of reach, but he should be good to go for this divisional showdown in the Black Hole. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's Players in the News later this week to monitor his practice participation, just in case he aggravates the tender ankle.

Hillman posted 10/16/1 rushing and 7/47/1 receiving at New England even though the Broncos were in chase mode most of the evening - he is valuable as a receiver which keeps him in the action even when the Broncos are behind (a rare occurrence, but it happens!). Two weeks ago Hillman had 20/109/0 rushing and 3/29/0 receiving vs. San Diego - he is the featured back for one of the NFL's most powerful offenses.

The Raiders' rush D is ranked 27th in the NFL averaging 132.5 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores given out. They handed over 38/149/2 to Marshawn Lynch and company in their last game.

As long as Hillman is healthy, he's got a great matchup ahead despite being on the road to Oakland.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Kevin Jones has steadily become more and more proficient at Mike Martz's offense, and over the past 3 weeks he's the 4th best fantasy RB in the land, with 41/196/2 rushing and 10/87/1 receiving to his credit (2 games) - he blasted Atlanta for 26/110/2 rushing and 4/30/0 receiving last week. Jones is red hot coming into this contest.

The 49ers sport the league's second-most-scored-upon rush defense, having allowed 11 rushing TDs to date, while averaging 124.8 yards given away per contest. They are not good, folks, though they did frustrate the Vikings 9-3 last week (but still handed over 33/135/0 on the ground).

Jones has a great matchup to work with in front of the Ford Field faithful.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Over the past three games (four weeks), Jahvid Best has been the 23rd best fantasy RB in the land, with 40/112/0 rushing and 16/102/0 receiving to his credit. Obviously, the lack of scoring opportunities is eroding his ability to be a top-12 fantasy back right now, but he is still seeing a good number of touches in each contest - against the very stubborn Jets' D he led the Lions with 16/48/0 rushing and added 5/40/0 receiving to his performance, while Kevin Smith chipped in 5/10/0 rushing and 1/27/0 receiving. Matthew Stafford scored the lone rushing TD last week (4/11/1 rushing) before being forced from the game with a third-degree shoulder separation - Stafford is probably done for the season. The Lions may ask more of Best and Smith in the second half of the season due to the unfortunate injury situation at QB (Shaun Hill, who did well for the team in Stafford's absence, has a broken forearm and is just now getting back under center - Drew Stanton might be forced into duty yet).

If there is a team that you should run the ball against (a lot!), it is the Bills. They are dead last in the league averaging 176.2 rushing yards allowed per game, with nine rushing TDs given away to date. Even the Chicago Bears put up over 100 yards rushing at Buffalo (they average 90.6 rushing yards per game as a team) - most other teams have gone over 200 yards rushing when playing the Bills (Kansas City had 45/274/0 rushing against this lot two weeks ago).

Best and Smith have a great shot at big numbers this week, given the opposition and the Lions' injury situation.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The last time these NFC North rivals met, Detroit lost 13-20 - Mikel LeShoure struggled to run the ball (13/26/0), but added 4/37/0 receiving to his effort, which helped out PPR league owners. Joique Bell had just 1/2/0 rushing, but led the team in receiving with 6/72/0 that day.

Entering week 10, the Lions come off a stellar performance by LeShoure (16/70/3 rushing at Jacksonville) and Bell (13/73/1 rushing with 3/36/0 receiving). LeShoure was the workhorse for three quarters, and then Bell closed out the 31-14 rout of the Jaguars.

The Vikings' rush D now ranks 18th in the NFL averaging 117.3 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given up to date. Seattle whacked this group for 45/195/1 rushing in their 30-20 win last week, though, and Tampa Bay put up 41/159/1 rushing on the Vikings two weeks ago. Right now, Minnesota's rush D is in a state of collapse.

Advantage, Detroit.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The last time these rivals clashed (Week four), Reggie Bush tore up the Bears' D for 18/139/1 rushing and 4/34/0 receiving, while Joique Bell posted 7/12/0 rushing and 4/30/0 receiving. All told, the Lions ground out 30/159/2 on the Bears on September 29 (Matthew Stafford also ran in a score with 5/8/1 rushing on the day). Prior to their Week nine bye, Bush (21/92/1 rushing with 8/30/0 receiving), Bell (4/32/1 rushing with 1/22/0 receiving) and Stafford (3/12/1) all ran in a TD against the Cowboys - Stafford's came during a thrilling last-minute victory. It's all good for the Lions in this phase of the game coming into the second half of the season.

The Bears' rush D was exploded for 29/199/2 by the Green Bay Packers last Monday night, after allowing 43/209/3 rushing to Washington the game prior. It's fair to say that the Chicago rush D is in crisis entering Week 10 - they've been turnstiles rather than a wall in recent weeks.

Advantage, Detroit.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

This is the first meeting between these NFC North rivals - a change has been made in the running back depth chart after the Packers have lost two straight games - James Starks is 'our No. 1 back right now' according to head coach Mike McCarthy. 'He's earned that opportunity,' McCarthy said on November 11. 'We'll stay with the one-two punch.'. Likely this means a two-headed attack with Starks getting the majority of touches, while Eddie Lacy handles change-of-pace duties. It will be interesting to see how many carries Starks garners - Footballguys.com's David Dodds projects Starks to see 11/47/0.4 rushing and 2/20/0.2 receiving this week and sees him as the 17th-best fantasy running back in the land, while Lacy sees 11/44/0.3 with 1/11/0 receiving to check in at 29th.

The Detroit rush D is ranked 30th in the NFL averaging 133.8 yards allowed per game, and they have given up 14 rushing scores (most in the NFL). Detroit is currently dead last among NFL teams in scoring defense, surrendering 30.6 points per game. They allowed 32/206/4 rushing to the Chiefs during Week Eight - enough said.

This is a great matchup for the Packers' reshuffled rushing attack.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Though the Texans' passing attack has downshifted in recent weeks, Arian Foster remains a fantasy force to be reckoned with. He piled up 15/102/1 rushing and 9/65/0 receiving vs. the Colts in week eight, and hit San Diego for 27/127/2 rushing with 4/70/0 receiving in week nine (led the team in both categories week nine). Foster deserves to be in your lineup week in and week out.

The Jaguars' rush D isn't good, averaging 119.1 yards allowed per game (22nd in the NFL), with the second-most rushing TDs allowed to date (11). Even the anemic Dallas backs scored on this group (22/50/1), while Kansas City steamrolled them for 42/236/3 back in week seven.

Foster has a great matchup this week.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

While Andre Johnson has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury/surgery, the Texans have discovered a new facet to their offense - a true two-back, power-running game that is steamrolling over opposing defenses. Over the last three weeks, Arian Foster (77/351/4 rushing with 16 targets for 11/157/1 receiving) and Ben Tate (32/261/1 rushing) have combined for 612 yards rushing and five TDs. To put that accomplishment in perspective, consider that the Titans have 560 yards rushing as a team this year. As Cleveland can attest, the combination of Foster (19/124/1 rushing last week) and Tate (12/115/1) is very difficult to defend - heck, even Matt Schaub has been running in TDs of late, with one rushing score in each of the last two games. This attack is stampeding over opposing defenses like a herd of Texas Longhorns right now, friends.

The Buccaneers have dropped two straight games, and their rush D has been a major contributor to the losing streak - New Orleans cranked out 28/195/1 rushing last week vs. Tampa, and Chicago whacked them for 33/177/2 rushing in London during week seven. Right now, this defensive front isn't slowing anybody down - they are even worse than their 26th-place ranking would indicate (averaging 132.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given up over eight games). The team lost key DT Gerald McCoy to a torn biceps tendon last week - he's scheduled for surgery to repair his arm on Wednesday and his rehab will take six months. The (already vulnerable) defensive front is being juggled coming into this game, with veteran DT John McCargo signed this week.

Foster and Tate have an outstanding matchup to work with this week.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The last time these teams played, in week 7, Edgerrin James tore the Texans up for 21/139/2 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving (the Colts had 34/205/2 rushing as a team that day). He has piled up 55/243/3 rushing and 4/17/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks (2 games) to rank 2nd among all fantasy RBs in fantasy points per game during the near-term; James is the 3rd best fantasy RB this year with 197/905/8 rushing and 22/181/1 receiving to date. He is a must-start player this year.

The Texans gave away 27/98/2 to the Jaguars last week, even though Fred Taylor was sidelined for much of the contest. They are the league's 32nd ranked team vs. the rush, allowing an average of 156.8 yards per game, and they are tied for 2nd-most TDs allowed on the ground with 12 surrendered to date. Over the past 3 weeks (3 games) they average 153 rushing yards allowed per game. Any way you cut it, the Texans stink at defending vs. opposing running backs.

James is on a tear, while the Texans are closer to a doormat than a defense. Indianapolis has a huge edge over Houston when running the ball in this matchup.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Donald Brown is listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football after missing his third straight practice Wednesday due to his sore knee. It looks like Vick Ballard (28/115/0 rushing with 4/54/1 receiving over the last two weeks) will headline for the Colts in this divisional game, while Delone Carter (10/39/1 rushing in the last two contests) also figures to see some work. Ballard had 5/12/0 rushing the first time these teams met, back in week three, but circumstances have changed (Brown led the team in rushing with 18/62/0 rushing and 1/39/0 receiving in that first tilt).

The Jaguars were stomped in this phase of the game last week allowing 34/149/4 to the Lions during a 31-14 loss. To date, Jacksonville averages 137.4 rushing yards allowed per game, and they've coughed up 12 rushing scores, the second-most in the NFL to date.

Advantage, Ballard and the Colts.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Maurice Jones-Drew has been fairly productive over the past three games played, with 70/264/1 rushing and 10 targets for 5/18/0 receiving. The lack of offensive firepower surrounding Jones-Drew is leading to a minimum of scoring opportunities this year, though, and he's ranked 16th among fantasy backs at the season's midpoint with 166/740/3 rushing and 12/85/0 receiving through eight games. The Jaguars are tied for second-least rushing TDs as a team this season, with just three, and they are 27th in the NFL currently averaging 3.8 yards per carry. There isn't much more to say - teams are crowding the line of scrimmage to slow Jones-Drew (the team's one bona-fide offensive threat) and daring rookie Blaine Gabbert to beat them (which so far he hasn't been able to do much).

The Colts' defense is embarrassingly inept, leading the NFL in rushing scores allowed (11), with a 31st-ranked average of 146.1 rushing yards allowed per game. In fact, the Colts are dead last in total points allowed (283 through nine games) and 31st in the NFL in total yards allowed (3,655) with 205 first downs given up to date (29th in the NFL). Most recently, Atlanta stomped them for 41/163/1 rushing at Indianapolis.

This is a great matchup for Jones-Drew to exploit - he should get some scoring chances against the woeful Colts' defense.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The rumors that Priest Holmes' injury is season-threatening were confirmed on Wednesday when the team placed Holmes on IR. He's done for the season. However, the team is fortunate enough to have a fine back in Larry Johnson. He put up 22/107/2 rushing and 3/48/0 receiving last week vs. Oakland in the featured role, and has 51/255/3 rushing and 7/102/0 receiving during the last 3 weeks to rank 7th among all fantasy RBs in fantasy points per game in that time-frame. K.C. averages a healthy 4.3 yards per carry as a team - there will be holes for Johnson to hit more often than not. Keep an eye on key OT Willie Roaf to see if he will be able to play this weekend (a lingering hamstring injury sidelined him last week again).

Larry Johnson owners have to be salivating at the thought of the Bills being next on the schedule - Buffalo ranks 31st in the NFL allowing an average of 150.8 rushing yards per game to the opposition, and are dead last in the NFL with 13 rushing scores allowed this year (tied with Arizona). They have given up 8 TDs (total) in their past 2 games, averaging 127.5 rushing yards surrendered per contest, including week 8's total of 22/93/2 to the battered and limping New England stable. This is one of the league's softest defensive fronts entering the second half of the year, folks.

This is a great matchup for the Chiefs and Larry Johnson.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Jamaal Charles (10/53/0 rushing with 5/47/0 receiving last week) and Thomas Jones (19/32/0 rushing last week) got some brakes applied by Oakland in week nine, after they shattered the Bills for 45/274/0 rushing as a team unit the week prior. The Chiefs average 179.6 rushing yards per game this year and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry to date, but they had less horse-power than usual at the Black Hole last week.

Denvers' defensive front doesn't scare anybody. They are dead last in the NFL with 14 rushing scores handed over to date, and 31st in the NFL averaging 154.6 rushing yards allowed per game. Most recently, San Francisco hit them for 42/143/2 rushing in London, and we all remember the 328 yard, five TD fiasco that Oakland imposed on Denver in week seven.

Charles and Jones have a great matchup to enjoy this week despite being on the road in Mile High Stadium.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Ronnie Brown (15/48/0 rushing with 2/16/0 receiving, with 1/2 for one yard and one TD passing), Pat White (6/45/0 rushing), and Ricky Williams (7/33/1 rushing with 1/3/0 receiving) combined to help the Dolphins hit 31/133/1 rushing vs. the Patriots last week - the Dolphins fought hard and led the game at one point in the third quarter, but eventually lost the game 17-27. Over the past four weeks, Brown is the 35th-ranked fantasy RB in points per game (PPR format), with 42/123/1 rushing and 3/18/0 receiving, while Williams is 13th during that time frame with 24/140/4 rushing and 5/56/0 receiving. Brown is getting more work of late, but Williams is generating superior results with his limited touches.

Tampa Bay began a new era at QB last week when Josh Freeman started his first NFL game, and his team responded with a surprise victory over Green Bay 38-28. However, the 'W' didn't transform the Buccaneers D into a solid unit - they still allowed 32/170/2 rushing to the Packers last week. This year, the team averages 163.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with nine rushing TDs given up over eight contests - the Buccaneers are not feared in this phase of the game.

The Dolphins' duo of backs have a great matchup to work with this week.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Miami cruises into this game 4-4, with the league's 13th-ranked rushing attack, averaging 111.9 yards per game, with a second-best total (tie) of 11 rushing scores to date. Reggie Bush had 10/41/1 rushing and 2/25/0 receiving at Indianapolis last week, while Daniel Thomas managed 6/37/0 rushing and 2/25/0 receiving during the contest. To date, Bush is the 14th best fantasy running bac with 122/534/4 rushing and 20/171/0 receiving, while Thomas checks in at 45th with 57/192/3 rushing and 7/85/0 receiving - roughly a 66/34 split on the work between the two players (68.9/31.1 to be precise).

The Titans put up with 36/160/1 rushing from the Bears last week, and coughed up 34/171/1 rushing to the Colts two weeks ago - their season average is slightly better (141.6, 30th in the NFL), but not much. The Titans have coughed up nine TDs to date - these guys are soft in the rushing phase of the game.

Advantage, Miami.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

During week 2, the Patriots' backfield trampled the Jets' soft defensive front, with 39/147/2 as a team. They were led by Corey Dillon (20/80/1) and also saw rookie Laurence Maroney score (16/65/1). Since that early game, these two backs have worked in a tandem that posted 30/100/4 rushing and 2/32/0 receiving for Dillon and 29/126/0 rushing and 4/33/0 receiving for Maroney during the last 3 weeks.

The Jets' defense hasn't improved in this phase of the game since week 2, averaging 143 rushing yards allowed per game to date, with a league-worst 13 rushing scores given up so far. They have averaged 136 rushing yards allowed over the past 3 weeks (2 games), including 39/147/1 given up to the relatively flaccid Browns in week 8. These guys just aren't very good.

This is a great matchup for the Patriots' backs.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Back in week four, New England racked up a ridiculous 40/247/4 rushing at Buffalo, led by Brandon Bolden (16/137/1 rushing with 1/11/0 receiving) and Stevan Ridley (22/106/2 rushing on the day). Since then, this unit has been up and down, with 15/127/1 rushing for Ridley two weeks ago in London (and 7/22/1 rushing with 1/17/0 receiving for Shane Vereen. Whichever backs are healthy and ready to roll on Sunday will get the privilege of rolling over the Bills.

Speaking of the doormats/Bills, Buffalo averages 169.5 yards rushing allowed per game (31st in the league), while also having coughed up 14 rushing TDs (worst in the NFL). Houston put up 32/118/1 rushing on this unit last week - Tennessee had 27/197/4 rushing vs. Buffalo back on October 21. These guys stink at run D.

Advantage, New England.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Reggie Bush displayed his all-around capabilities last week vs. Jacksonville, with 17/72/1 rushing and 7/43/1 receiving during the contest. It was the third time in his last 4 games over 100 yards combined, and his 2 TDs gave him 3 scores over the last 3 games. He's gathering momentum as the season goes along and the Saints' offense improves.

The Rams are a mess. They are 25th in the league vs. the rush, averaging 129.9 yards allowed per game, and have given away 9 rushing TDs to date. Over their last 6 games, they've allowed 100+ rushing yards five times, including 29/132/0 handed over the the Browns in week 8. It is not hard to run the ball against this defense. Adding to the Rams' woes, DE Leonard Little was placed on IR this week due to his injured toe (he'll have surgery soon).

Bush and company will have their home crowd at their back and a very suspect defense across the line of scrimmage this week - advantage, New Orleans.

The Saints' stable of backs was less effective than usual vs. Carolina, with 23/84/1 rushing as a team. Pierre Thomas led the charge with 13/50/1 rushing and 5/31/0 receiving, with Mike Bell managing 5/17/0 rushing and Reggie Bush kicking in 2/16/0 on the ground and 7/37/0 receiving. The tandem was still effective last week, but not as overwhelming as we've seen them at some points (the Saints did get down early in this game and threw the ball 35 times vs. rushing it 23 times - the particular circumstances of this contest skewed the numbers towards Brees and the receivers).

St. Louis' defense gave up the third-most total yards from scrimmage during the second quarter of the season, with 1549 allowed over four games (538 rushing yards, an average of 179.3 per game), and they gave up the third-most total points from scrimmage, with 113 allowed (a little over 28 points per game). Detroit rushed for 33/127/1 against this team in week eight; Indianapolis posted 26/156/2 rushing vs. the Rams in week seven.

The Saints have a great shot at an outstanding game against the soft Rams, playing on turf in the Edward D. Jones dome on Sunday.

Mark Ingram was steady-but-unspectacular in his first game without Khiry Robinson as his sidekick - he had the lions' share of all the work done by the stable of running backs, with 22/54/0 rushing and 4/42/0 receiving, while C.J. Spiller posted 2/8/0 rushing and 1/2/0 in a very limited role. Hopefully for his fantasy owners, Ingram will do more with his opportunities this week.

The Washington rush D surrendered 37/161/1 to the Patriots last week, after allowing Tampa Bay 30/190/0 rushing at Washington before the Washington bye week. So far this year Washington averages 132.5 yards rushing allowed per game (29th in the NFL) with five rushing scores given away.

The Giants racked up 37/200/1 rushing vs. Dallas in week seven, led by Ahmad Bradshaw's 24/126/0 on the ground. Brandon Jacobs claimed the rushing score, with 12/75/1 that day. Since week seven, the Giants had a bye week to get rested and then a laugher over Seattle in week nine - the final score was 41-7, and the Giants were playing Danny Ware (13/66/0 rushing) to close the game after Ahmad Bradshaw crammed in 19/57/2 rushing and 4/35/0 receiving, with Brandon Jacobs posting 11/78/0 rushing in his time on the field. The Giants' rushing attack is going full bore as of week 10, folks.

The Dallas defense has fallen completely apart in recent weeks, with 1,487 total yards given away in the last four games and a league-worst 145 total points allowed in that time span. Green Bay cranked out 35/138/1 rushing last week - Jacksonville posted 34/149/1 rushing two weeks ago.

This is a great looking matchup for the home team Giants - the dispirited Cowboys don't look capable of putting up much of a fight entering week 10.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Rams' defense is just awful. They are 29th in the NFL vs. the rush, averaging 155.5 yards allowed per game (with 12 rushing scores allowed) - they are 28th in the NFL averaging 246.3 net passing yards allowed per game, with 12 passing TDs handed over to date. When you average over 400 yards allowed per contest, you simply aren't going to win many games. Opposing teams can do what they want to do. Take Arizona, last week's opponent, for example - the Cardinal's first-time starter, Tim Hightower, led Arizona to 33/177/1 vs. St. Louis. See what we mean?

The Jets' tandem of Thomas Jones (50/282/2 rushing and 8/44/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks, #10 among all fantasy RBs in points per game during that time span) and Leon Washington (13/99/2 rushing with 8/97/1 receiving, 18th) have hit their stride entering the 2nd half of the season. They powered the Jets to a key "W" over Buffalo last week, with 12/69/1 rushing and 6/38/0 receiving by Jones and 7/13/0 rushing and 2/42/0 receiving on the part of Washington.

This is a great week to be invested in the Jets' rushing attack.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Somehow, the Jets contrived to lose to Miami despite outgaining them 40/127/1 rushing to 23/52/0 rushing in week eight (with 251 net passing yards and two passing TDs with zero interceptions thrown by Mark Sanchez vs. Miami's 12/22 for 52 net yards and one TD with zero interceptions by Chad Henne). However the W-L column looked at the end of the day, Thomas Jones played a great game vs. Miami with 27/102/0 rushing and 1/28/0 receiving; he's piled up 75/433/2 rushing with 4/48/0 receiving in the last three games (four weeks) for New York to check in at #6 among all fantasy RBs during that time span (PPR format). Shonn Greene is his side-kick with 28/162/2 during that same span of time - Greene is getting valuable reps in preparation for the coming years of action.

The Jaguars' rush D is not among the league's strongest, currently averaging 119.8 rushing yards allowed per game (22nd in the NFL), with five rushing TDs given up during eight contests. They've coughed up 420 rushing yards in their last three contests (140 per game on average), with 14/60/0 allotted to the anemic Chiefs last week but 49/305/2 handed over to Tennessee two weeks ago.

Jones and Greene are a powerful tandem that head the league's #1 rushing attack in yards per game at the season's mid-point (an average of 177.6 rushing yards per game have been ground out by the Jets) - the Jaguars don't stack up well against New York in this phase of the game. Advantage, New York.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Justin Fargas has (finally!) grabbed the brass ring and muscled his way into the starting role for the Raiders - last week he posted 23/104/1 rushing and 2/15/0 receiving vs. the Texans. LaMont Jordan is an afterthought right now, with 4/10/0 rushing and 2/16/0 receiving in a supporting role. HC Lane Kiffin has announced that Fargas is the starting RB going forward - we'll see if he can maintain his momentum now that he's "the man" in Oakland.

The Bear's rush D has fallen on hard times, averaging 130.9 rushing yards allowed per game (26th in the NFL) with 8 rushing scores handed over to date. Detroit trampled them for 28/119/1 last week - over the past 4 contests, they've allowed a minimum of 119 yards rushing and a maximum of 311 yards rushing to the opposition - this unit is in a tailspin entering the second half of the NFL season.

Fargas and company have a great matchup to work with this week in the friendly confines of McAfee Stadium.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

LeSean McCoy did his best to beat the Bears, with 16/71/1 rushing and 5/46/0 receiving to his credit on Monday night - it wasn't McCoy's fault that the Eagles dropped the game 24-30. Over the past three games, McCoy can boast of 74/382/4 rushing with 12 targets for 9/74/0 receiving, while Michael Vick has posted 19/138/0 rushing during that time frame - in this phase of the game it's all good for the Eagles.

The Cardinals' rush D ranks 16th in the NFL through nine weeks, averaging 117.8 yards allowed per game. They are tied for worst in the NFL with 11 rushing TDs allowed, though - these guys are vulnerable in the red zone. St. Louis cranked out 35/150/0 rushing at Arizona last Sunday; Baltimore slammed them with 26/107/3 rushing two weeks ago.

This is a great matchup for McCoy and Vick.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

LeSean McCoy had over 100 yards rushing last week (23/117/0 rushing with 2/6/0 receiving) for the second time in the past three games played. Chris Polk siphoned off a rushing TD, though (8/50/1 rushing) while Darren Sproles chipped in 3/17/0 rushing and 4/46/0 receiving. McCoy is the lead back entering the second half of the season, but his lack of TDs (only one rushing score this year) is lessening his fantasy impact.

The Panthers' rush D is ranked 26th in the NFL averaging 131.9 yards given out per game, and they are in double-digits with 11 rushing scores handed over. New Orleans posted 37/105/3 rushing in Charlotte last week; Seattle had 26/119/0 rushing there two weeks back.

Advantage, Philadelphia.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Pittsburgh has a good replacement for Le'Veon Bell - DeAngelo Williams threw down for 27/170/2 rushing and 2/55/0 receiving in his return to the featured role for Pittsburgh, and has amassed 90/480/5 rushing with 12/122/0 receiving in his chances for the Steelers so far this year. He's been a gem of the 2015 free agent signings. Williams had some swelling in a foot after the game, and will sit out the Wednesday practice, but he is making good progress and is expected to play come the weekend. Keep an eye on his practice participation later in the week, though, just in case the foot flares up again.

The Browns' rush D is ranked 32nd in the NFL averaging 147.6 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores handed out to date. Last week they gave up 37/152/1 to the Bengals, right on their usual, horrid pace.

Advantage, Pittsburgh.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

LaDainian Tomlinson leads all fantasy RBs with 58/421/5 rushing and 12/149/2 receiving over the past 3 weeks, and has 12 rushing scores to date at the season's mid point (169/828/12 rushing and 38/323/2 receiving - #1 fantasy RB in the land through 8 games). Tomlinson drew and quartered the Browns for 18/172/3 rushing and 3/20/0 receiving last week. He should start every week if you were fortunate enough to draft him.

The Cincinnati rush D is not impressive, ranking 24th in the NFL allowing an average of 129.3 yards per game (with 8 rushing TDs given up so far). They coughed up 38/129/1 to the Ravens last week, and have averaged 110.6 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks. They are a sub-par collection of run defenders.

LaDainian Tomlinson got his legs under him before the bye week, posting 19/105/1 rushing and 5/65/1 receiving vs. the Saints - those are the types of games his fantasy owners had in mind when they drafted him #1 in August. "I'm pretty much back healthy," Tomlinson said after the contest in London. "And I felt like I was running good tonight." We'll see if he can maintain his momentum in the next contest.

The Chiefs' rush D is as bad as the Chargers' pass D, which means they are the league's worst. They average the most rushing yards allowed per game (182.4), and have handed over the most TDs to date in this phase of the game (14). Tampa Bay ran into a rash of injury issues and could only muster 25/81/0 rushing last week, but the Chiefs have still allowed 548 rushing yards in their last 3 games (182.6 per contest on average). They stink.

This is a great week to have LaDainian Tomlinson on your fantasy roster.

Both of these divisional rivals are on losing streaks coming into this first grudge match of the year - Oakland has lost two straight games to land at 4-4, and San Diego has lost three to land at 4-4. The winner of this one will be atop the AFC West where three teams are knotted at 4-4 (K.C. is the third) and Denver is lurking at 3-5 at the season's midpoint. This is a key game for both teams, as you can see.

Without Ryan Mathews last week, the Chargers turned to Mike Tolbert for a running game, and he delivered a solid effort with 19/83/1 rushing and nine targets for 4/59/0 receiving. Early in the week Mathews has been participating fully in practices for the first Thursday night game of the year, so it looks like we'll be back to a 1-2 punch of Mathews (111/509/3 rushing with 30/342/0 receiving so far this year) and Tolbert (66/246/4 rushing and 32/290/2 receiving during 2011) against the Raiders in this one.

The Raiders' rush D was torn apart by the stampeding Broncos last week - all told, Denver posted 38/299/2 rushing at the Black Hole last week. K.C. whacked the Raiders for 39/139/2 rushing at Oakland back in week seven - the defensive front is lying down for opposing backs right now, folks. To date, the Raiders are ranked 29th in the NFL averaging 139.6 yards allowed per game in this phase, with nine rushing scores given away to date.

Shaun Alexander vs. the Cardinals last week: 23/173/2. Alexander over the past 3 weeks (2 games): 44/234/2 (9th best fantasy back during that span). Alexander this season: 175/949/14 rushing with 7/32/0 receiving (2nd best fantasy RB in the land behind LaDainian Tomlinson). Start him if you were smart enough to draft him.

During week 5, these teams clashed at the Edward Jones Dome - Shaun Alexander slashed up the Rams for 25/119/2 rushing and 3/16/0 receiving during the game as the Seahawks triumphed 37-31. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Rams have allowed an average of 170 rushing yards per contest, including 28/221/1 to Fred Taylor and company week 8 before the Rams' bye. They have not been on top of the oppositions' running backs during recent weeks as you can see - this season, the Rams are 25th in the NFL averaging 127.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with 9 scores surrendered to date.

Alexander had good luck against the Rams in the Rams' house last time these teams squared off, and he comes into this game on a roll - in Seattle, we expect more of the same.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Marshawn Lynch has been over 100 yards rushing in each of his last three games, with a TD scored in the last two (26/124/1 rushing with 2/26/0 receiving most recently vs. Minnesota). The guy is an automatic starter in fantasy circles this year - plug him in.

The Jets average 141.4 rushing yards allowed per game (29th in the NFL), with nine rushing TDs given up to date. Miami had 33/97/1 rushing at the Jets two weeks ago; New England posted 31/131/0 back in week seven. These guys are improving somewhat, but still look vulnerable.

This is a great week to have Lynch in your lineup.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Marshawn Lynch is one of the premier fantasy running backs in the NFL this year, currently ranking sixth among backs in the PPR scoring paradigm, with 167/726/6 rushing and 19/197/1 receiving to date. He put up 21/125/0 rushing and 4/16/0 receiving vs. Tampa Bay last week - Lynch is going strong entering the second half of the 2013 season.

The 2-6 Falcons are not going strong right now - they've allowed 33/131/2 rushing to the Panthers and 30/201/1 rushing to the Cardinals over their last two games. This team is approaching a state of collapse - the offense was only on the field for 23:35 last week making the defense play for 36:25 at Carolina. Yuck.

Advantage, Seattle.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Frank Gore tore up Tennessee last week, leading the team in rushing (15/83/1) while ranking second on the team in receiving (7/75/0) - he was a big boost to his fantasy owners last week. Over the past four weeks, Gore is the seventh-best fantasy RB in the land in points per game (PPR format), with 41/206/2 rushing and 14/133/0 receiving (three games). Glen Coffee, Gore's backup, suffered a serious concussion last week and will not play in week 10 - the team will rely on Gore to carry the load this week for certain.

The Bears have averaged 145.5 rushing yards allowed per game over the past four weeks, with 31/182/0 given up to the usually-anemic Arizona stable last week. Even the limp Browns managed 29/117/1 rushing vs. the Bears two weeks ago - this is not a good defensive front, friends. They've gotten worse in the second quarter of the season (to date, the team is 21st in the NFL averaging 119.5 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs given up so far).

This looks like a great week to have Gore in your lineup - he should enjoy a productive outing in front of the home crowd at Walsh Field on Thursday night.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

This clash between the NFC East-leading and NFC West-leading teams will likely have serious playoff implications when it comes to playoff seeding time in January - the 49ers are in command of the NFC West (though they've played and won just one divisional game, they are 7-1 while Seattle is next-closest at 2-6 on the season). The Giants seized control of the NFC East by upsetting the Patriots last week - they are now 6-2 with Dallas next closest at 4-4, though the Giants are currently just 1-1 in division and have a lot of NFC East games ahead in the next eight games.

Frank Gore continues to be a high-impact back as we enter the second half of the season - he's averaged 5.9 yards per carry over the last three weeks with 65/382/2 rushing and eight targets for 3/12/0 receiving, while backup Kendall Hunter spells Gore occasionally (19/84/0 rushing during that same time span). Last week, Gore posted 19/107/0 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving at Washington. He's a must-start fantasy running back, friends.

The Giants' rush D isn't very good this year, with an average of 127.1 yards allowed per game (25th in the NFL) and nine rushing scores handed over during eight games. However, the return of Justin Tuck to the defensive front has helped solidify things a bit recently, with 24/106/0 allowed to the Patriots last week after a poor showing with 26/145/2 given up to the Dolphins two weeks ago.

Gore is on fire entering the second half of the year, while the Giants' rush D is vulnerable - advantage, San Francisco.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

The Rams went into their bye week with a monkey off their collective backs - they won a game at Detroit in week eight. Steven Jackson finally found the end zone in the contest, with 22/149/1 rushing and 3/17/0 receiving - he's had more than 100 yards combined in each of his last four games, with 61/333/1 rushing and 10/94/0 receiving during the past three contests to land at eighth among all fantasy RBs in points per game (PPR format) during that span of time. It's not Jackson's fault that the Rams are 1-7.

'This is crazy. Honest to god. Just making a play like this once a week, it's a blessing,' said DL Anthony Hargrove on Sunday, after he recovered two fumbles Sunday and scored the first touchdown of his career on one of the recoveries last Sunday, scoring the final, game-clinching TD for the Saints. 'It's crazy. I come out here and I just try to play. For me, it's a blessing. I don't think I've [ever] played this well, this consistent.' Hargrove helped put his team over the top, but early in the game the defensive front crumbled for DeAngelo Williams (21/149/2 rushing, with both TDs scored in the first quarter) - the squad did clamp down after the first period, and ended up allowing 39/182/2 rushing during the game. To date, the Saints are 19th in the NFL averaging 112.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with 11 rushing scores given up to date - that's the third-most rushing TDs allowed during the first half of the season.

Jackson is running like a man possessed lately, and he's got a great shot at scoring again this week, playing against the generous Saints at home in the Edward D. Jones Dome.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Steven Jackson came back down to earth a bit last week at Arizona (29/130/0 rushing with 1/12/0 receiving) after his stellar game vs. New Orleans two weeks ago (25/159/2 rushing with 4/32/0 receiving). As has been the case in St. Louis for years, Jackson gets a lot of touches on the football and piles up yardage, but rarely finds pay dirt (this year, he's posted 113/579/4 rushing and 17/95/1 receiving to date).

The Browns' rush D is among the league's worst, averaging 144 yards allowed per game (30th) while giving up six rushing scores to date. Houston absolutely dismantled this unit last week, with 40/261/3 rushing, with two backs going over 100 yards in the game (19/124/1 rushing for Arian Foster, with 12/115/1 rushing for Ben Tate).

Jackson has a great matchup to work with this week, despite being on the road.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Mike James has exploded for 38/197/0 rushing and 6/33/0 receiving over the past two weeks, with an outstanding game at Seattle (28/158/0 rushing with 2/8/0 receiving and one pass for a two-yard TD). Brian Leonard has handled a lot of flares from Mike Glennon of late, with 6/27/0 rushing and 10/80/0 receiving over the two games mentioned. James and Leonard are making the most of the running room that Mike Glennon's solid quarterback play is opening up.

The Dolphins' rush D ranks 21st in the league averaging 116.5 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores given out. Cincinnati had 35/163/2 on the ground at Miami last week, while New England posted 37/152/2 two games ago - the Dolphins' rush D is collapsing entering the second half of the season.

This looks like a great matchup for James and Leonard.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Chris Johnson has been on a tear during the Titans' most recent three contests (including two wins), with 66/491/4 rushing and 5/36/0 receiving. LenDale White is an afterthought these days, with 23/65/0 rushing during that same span of time. Last week, Johnson (25/135/2 rushing with 3/25/0 receiving) combined with Vince Young (5/14/1 rushing) and White (4/3/0) to lead Tennessee to 34/152/3 rushing and a second 'W' in a row.

The Bills' rush D is the worst in the NFL, averaging 173.6 yards per game, with 12 rushing TDs given up through eight games (that's tied for second-worst in the NFL). Over the past four games before their bye last week, they've handed over 791 rushing yards (197.75 per contest). There just really isn't much their injury-gutted defense can do to slow down opposing rushers, folks. Houston spanked them for 41/182/3 rushing back in week eight (for one example).

Chris Johnson started off strongly last week, but then had just nine yards rushing on five carries during the second half of the game vs. Cincinnati, to end up with 14/64/0 rushing and 4/46/0 receiving during the contest - at least he went over 100 yards combined last week. Javon Ringer was in a change-of-pace role last week, with 4/11/0 rushing and 1/14/0 receiving, so as of the second half of the season it looks like Johnson is going to retain the lions' share of the touches in the stable (at the rate he's earning the Titans need to feed Johnson the ball). 'We got him into the secondary. We got him on the second level,' head coach Mike Munchak said after the game. 'I think that is a big thing. We got him in space. And I think he does a good job in space with him and a defender and a lot of room.'

The Panthers' rush D is among the league's worst, averaging 133.2 yards allowed per game (27th in the NFL), with 11 rushing TDs given away to date (tied for the most rushing scores allowed along with Indianapolis and Arizona). Adrian Peterson and the Vikings slashed Carolina for almost exactly their average two weeks ago - 33/132/2 rushing - and even woeful Washington managed 23/92/1 rushing at Carolina during week seven.

This is a great week for Chris Johnson to return to his top form - we'll see if he can rise to the opportunity.

Jacksonville lost their top receiver, Justin Blackmon, to indefinite suspension over the bye week, so the Jaguars' offense will be even more anemic than usual for this game - Tennessee's offense should hold the ball a LOT of the game this week.

The Titans' rushing attack loomed large at St. Louis with 23/150/2 rushing and 3/20/0 receiving for Chris Johnson, while Shonn Greene chipped in 9/38/1 rushing and 1/28/0 receiving on the way to a total of 35/198/4 rushing as a team (Jake Locker also ran in a score with 3/10/1 on the ground). It marks Johnson's first game over 100 yards rushing this year and the first rushing TDs/first multiple-TD game of his season. We'll see if Johnson can build on his expanded production against divisional rival Jacksonville.

The Jaguars' rush defense is the worst in the NFL, by far. They average 161.8 yards allowed per game, with a league-worst 13 rushing scores given up to date. Most recently, they were punished for 38/224/4 rushing by San Francisco over in London.

The demotion of Edgerrin James and the strong play of Tim Hightower validated the move by Ken Whisenhunt, who indicated after the game that James is now Hightower's backup: "I would hate to think if, God forbid, something would happen to Tim in a game, it would be nice to have Edge available to carry the ball." Hightower posted 22/109/1 rushing with 1/-1/0 receiving, while J.J. Arrington contributed 6/62/0 rushing and 5/57/0 receiving - the Cardinals appear to have found a potent 1-2 combo with Hightower and Arrington. However, remember that they were playing the Rams, who sport the league's 29th ranked rush D (averaging 155.5 rushing yards allowed per game this season). The Cardinals' 33/177/1 is about par for the course when the Rams are on D.

The Giants hung 32/112/2 on the 49ers 2 weeks before their bye, but the team has averaged 75.5 rushing yards allowed per game in the past 3 weeks (2 games) - thanks to a weak Seattle attack that could only generate 28/39/1 prior to San Francisco's bye. To date, the team averages 112 rushing yards allowed per game, with 10 rushing TDs given up over 8 games - this is not a top defensive front, folks.

The Cardinals got a spark from their new-look backfield, and they'll probably shine again this week against the suspect 49ers. Advantage, Arizona.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The Cardinals' rushing stable remains a jumbled mess from the fantasy perspective - Tim Hightower enjoyed a return to the lead position in the pecking order last week, but only managed 13/39/0 rushing with one target for zero receptions, while Cris Wells saw but a single carry for -2 yards just one week after being declared the 'starter' - he has a sore knee hampering him right now, though. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said RB Beanie Wells did not play a lot in Week 9 because he missed some practice time during the week, which was due to an allergic reaction to a lubricating injection to his knee. LaRod Stephens-Howling had 4/0/0 rushing and two targets for 1/9/0 receiving - there just isn't much in the way of fantasy points to be had among these guys right now. Wells has scored two rushing TDs in the last three weeks, with 31/102/2 rushing and 1/14/0 receiving, while Stephens-Howling has claimed a score on offense, too (8/41/1 rushing with five targets for 2/22/0 receiving) - meanwhile, Hightower has amassed 20/98/0 rushing and five targets for 2/15/0 receiving. Ho hum.

The Seahawks' D was mauled for 41 unanswered points last week (they did have one TD in the fourth quarter after the game was already effectively over). All told, the Giants gained 47/197/2 rushing during their blowout win. Two weeks ago, the Raiders averaged 6.1 yards per carry against Seattle on the way to 39/239/1 rushing - the Buffalo Bills have a rival for worst rush D during the month of November, folks.

This is a good matchup for the Cardinals, though it remains to be seen which of their backs will get handed the ball most often in week 10.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The Cardinals' rushing attack is now transitioning into the capable hands of Andre Ellington - he posted 15/154/1 rushing and 2/8/0 receiving vs. Atlanta before the Cardinals' Week nine bye - meanwhile, Rashard Mendenhall missed the game due to a toe injury and opened the door to a bigger role for Ellington. Reports out of Arizona this Monday indicated that Mendenhall looks sharp after the week of rest - 'Rashard looked very, very good today and it was nice to see him running like that again,' head coach Bruce Arians said. We'll see how the workload is split up with Mendenhall healthy again but we expect to see more of Ellington than previously after he averaged better than 10 yards a carry vs. the Falcons.

The Texans' D was stout for half of the Monday Night Football game vs. Indianapolis, and the Colt's backs only had 14 rushing attempts due to falling behind early before riding Andrew Luck's passing arm to a comeback victory in the second half. All told, the Colts posted 14/69/0 rushing during the game. Two games ago Kansas City posted 32/126/2 rushing on the Texans - they've been up and down in this phase of the game during recent contests. To date, the Texans are ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 115.5 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores handed out to date. The mediocre average represents the up-and-down nature of this defensive front.

Ellington is on a roll, and the Cardinals have a so-so opponent up this week - advantage, Arizona.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The word out of Atlanta last week was that Jerious Norwood would be more involved in the rushing offense vs. San Francisco, but he injured his right ankle during the game, which eventually forced him to the sidelines with 6/39/0 rushing to his credit. Warrick Dunn took the opportunity to post his first 100 yards rushing game this season with 27/100/1 - it was also Dunn's second TD of the year. FB Ovie Mughelli added another TD to the stable's total (39/155/2 - Mughelli had 2/2/1 during the game), helping Atlanta to a rare "W" on Sunday.

The Panthers were blown out by the Titans last week, and allowed 43/140/2 rushing to the Titans during the game. They have given up 2 games in excess of 131 yards rushing over their last 3 contests (and allowed 98 yards rushing during week 6) - right now, it's pretty easy to run the ball on the Panthers.

Dunn and Norwood have struggled to get going behind their piecemeal line, but with the porous Panthers across the line of scrimmage they have a decent shot at building on their momentum entering the second half of the season. Norwood owners will want to pay attention to his practice participation during the week/his injury status on Friday.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Atlanta took advantage of the sinking Raiders for 57/252/1 rushing last week, led by Michael Turner's 31/139/0 on the ground - Jerious Norwood was also productive, with 13/63/1 rushing. Norwood added 2/20/0 receiving to his outing - both players were highly productive on the road in McAfee Coliseum. The Falcons are 2nd in the NFL averaging 4.7 yards per carry - they have finally been able to translate their success at home into a solid performance on the road. They're at home in the Georgia Dome for this game, though.

New Orleans' rush D is in the middle of the NFL, averaging 109.1 yards allowed per game, with 4 rushing scores handed over to date. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Saints have coughed up 253 yards on the ground (126.5 per contest), with 22/110/0 given up to LaDainian Tomlinson and company before their bye week. The Saints are a what-you-see-is-what-you-get group - they are just so-so in this phase of the game.

Turner and Norwood are very dangerous in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome - with a suspect D across the line from them, this is a good week to have either player on your fantasy team.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Atlanta rolled out of their bye week to a 'W' vs. divisional rival Tampa Bay on Sunday, compiling 33/130/2 rushing en route to the victory. Michael Turner looked fresh with 24/107/2 rushing (a 4.5 yards per carry average), while Jason Snelling provided a nice change-of-pace presence with 5/15/0 rushing and 5/24/0 receiving to his credit. The Falcons' rushing attack looks very steady and productive entering the second half of the regular season - Turner has 155/694/5 rushing and 9/73/0 receiving to date (15th-best fantasy RB in PPR leagues), while Snelling has amassed 66/280/2 rushing and 22/125/1 to land at 24th among all fantasy backs (PPR format). Jerious Norwood isn't missed too much, friends.

The Ravens went into their bye week off a 37-34 OT scare at the hands of Buffalo during week seven (35/132/0 rushing allowed), but returned to solid play in week nine while en route to a 26-10 result over Miami (17/73/1 rushing allowed last week). So far this year, the team is 13th in the NFL averaging 104.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with five scores given up over eight games played.

The Falcons have a top-shelf rushing attack (tied for 10th in the NFL averaging 4.2 yards per carry this season, with an average of 136.5 rushing yards generated per game), while the Ravens have been so-so in this phase of the game throughout 2010. Advantage, Atlanta.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The Falcons' rushing attack flourished in Indianapolis last week, posting 41/163/1 as a team. Michael Turner racked up 19/71/1 rushing (1/7/0 receiving), while rookie Jacquizz Rodgers shone in the change-of-pace role (10/44/0 rushing with 1/16/0 receiving) - the two look like a powerful tandem heading into the second half of the season. 'It was a great chance for me to go in at the end of the game and get a couple of carries,' Rodgers said after the win. 'If I keep doing that, it will build confidence and the coaches will call my number more often.' Rodgers almost scored on an 11-yard run during the first quarter of the game - he wasn't just running out the clock at the end of the contest. Turner has scored three TDs in the last three games, and six over the past five contests, with just one game without a score (27/122/0 rushing at Detroit on 10/23/11). Start Turner if you've got him, and Rodgers may be worth a look in deeper leagues if he can build on his current momentum.

The Saints' rush D faltered at St. Louis two weeks ago, allowing 31/183/2 rushing to Steven Jackson and company, but then clamped back down vs. Tampa Bay giving up only 20/84/0 during the game. To date, the Saints are ranked 17th in the NFL averaging 119.7 rushing yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs given up over nine games - they are an inconsistent unit as reflected by their last two efforts in this phase of the game.

Turner is consistently excellent, and Rodgers appears to be coming on - meanwhile, the Saints' rush D is mediocre - advantage, Atlanta.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The good news for Atlanta is that Steven Jackson finally is contributing meaningfully to the running game - 13/57/0 rushing with 3/19/0 receiving at Carolina last week - but the bad news is that his contributions are coming too late to save a wasted season with the Falcons a dismal 2-6 as of last weekend. Jacquizz Rodgers touched the ball 11 times last week (5/19/0 rushing with 6/25/0 receiving) making him a valuable change-of-pace back, but he's probably not worth looking at outside of PPR leagues with Jackson starting to get acclimated in the Atlanta backfield.

The Seahawks' defensive front has been collapsing since their game against the Rams two weeks ago (37/200/0 rushing allowed) and the Buccaneers took advantage of the obvious weakness and almost upset Seattle at home last weekend, posting 38/205/0 rushing. It's fair to say that the Seahawks' defensive front is in dire straights as of early November.

This looks like a good matchup for Jackson and Rodgers.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The Ravens' top back, Willis McGahee, has been struggling with a knee injury all season, and added an ankle problem to his laundry list of woes last week. As a result, he suited up as the "emergency back" but didn't take the field last week. No McGahee, no problem - the rookie Ray Rice showed that the pro game is "slowing down" for him against the weak Browns' defensive front - he posted 21/154/0 rushing and 3/22/0 receiving. Le'Ron McClain ran for 14/34/1 and added 1/3/0 receiving for the Ravens last week. As of midweek, coach Jim Harbaugh said "I don't know if we know [who is the starter] going into the game. We'll find out who is going to play more based on how we match up against this football team. Certainly, Ray has expanded himself with the things he can do and the confidence he builds in the coaching staff." Stay tuned to Footballguys.com players in the news later in the week to see who gets the first team reps in practices heading into week 10.

The Texans are currently 23rd in the NFL averaging 126.8 rushing yards allowed per game, and are tied for 2nd-most rushing TDs allowed so far with 12 given away. Over the past 3 weeks they've coughed up 359 rushing yards per game (just under 120 per contest), and allowed 35/177/1 to Adrian Peterson and company last week. The Texans' defensive front is backing into this game on a low note.

The Ravens have several attractive options at running back, while the Texans' defense has not been very good throughout the first half of the season - advantage, Baltimore.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Ray Rice went over 100 yards combined vs. Cleveland, with 25/98/1 rushing with 2/6/0 receiving - a much-needed bounce-back from his slim 9/42/0 rushing and 5/12/0 receiving at Houston back in week seven. Bernard Pierce also scored at Cleveland (7/26/1 as a change-of-pace option). Rice is an elite fantasy back who should be in your lineup every week he's healthy.

The Raiders were trampled by Doug Martin (25/251/4 rushing with 4/21/0 receiving) and the Buccaneers (32/278/4 rushing as a team vs. Oakland). K.C. had 22/102/0 rushing vs. Oakland two weeks ago - their defensive front was humbled in week nine, friends. Oakland is currently ranked 21st in the NFL averaging 124.1 yards rushing allowed per game, with 10 rushing scores given up to date.

Rice has his engine going, while the Raiders just got humiliated at home in this phase of the game - advantage, Baltimore.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The Ravens appear to have settled on a running back rotation, with Justin Forsett as the workhorse (26/106/0 rushing with 13 targets for 8/84/0 receiving over the past two games), and Lorenzo Taliaferro with 14/48/2 rushing and six targets for 5/76/0 receiving during the past two weeks. Bernard Pierce has been relegated to reserve-back status and didn't log five carries over the past two games.

The Titans' rush D is ranked 28th in the NFL averaging 134.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given out so far. Most recently, the Texans ran for 40/212/2 against this week group, while two games back Washington posted 26/100/0 rushing.

Advantage, Tennessee.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Buffalo comes into this game off a bye week, so Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson should be well-rested for the game. Neither player has done much in recent weeks - Lynch had 9/43/0 rushing and 3/6/0 receiving vs. Houston in week seven, while Jackson posted 9/28/0 rushing and 0 catches; the week before that vs Carolina Lynch had 17/40/1 rushing with 1/7/0 receiving, while Jackson eked out 5/2/0 on the ground. The above isn't the stuff that leads to fantasy championships, folks.

The Titans, meanwhile, have started to climb out of their season-long spelunking expedition and have won two straight games. San Francisco was limited to 20/108/1 rushing last week, one week after Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars ripped up the Titans for 16/217/2 in a losing effort. Tennessee may have won a couple games, but their defensive front is still very vulnerable as the 518 rushing yards allowed din their last three games attests. They're not playing solid defense this year, friends.

Lynch and Jackson have a good shot at a decent game against the improving-but-far-from-intimidating Titans.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Fred Jackson had a productive afternoon against a hard-nosed Jets' D, with 18/82/0 rushing and 3/38/0 receiving to go over 100 yards combined for the seventh time this year (out of eight games played). Over the past three games, he's posted 60/323/1 rushing and 11/159/0 receiving - the yards and receptions have been steady, but he's hit a dry spell when it comes to trips to the end zone. Still, Jackson is a top-five fantasy RB in almost any scoring system thus far during 2011. Start him if you've got him.

The Cowboys' rush D ranks 10th in the NFL averaging 102.4 yards allowed per game, with five rushing TDs given up over eight games. Seattle ripped off 30/162/1 rushing at Dallas last week; and Philadelphia punished them for 38/239/2 rushing two weeks ago - the Cowboys' defensive front has really suffered of late - the loss of ILB Sean Lee (dislocated wrist) is part of the picture. Footballguys.com's defensive guru John Norton had this to say about Lee and the Cowboys' defensive front:

'Sean Lee is trying to find a way to play through his wrist injury but the vibe coming out of Dallas is not all that positive. If he misses significant time, Bradie James will assume the every down role with Keith Brooking seeing a great deal more action as well. James is a good run stuffing ILB who can rush the passer if asked to and is not a serious liability in coverage, but he lacks the range and playmaking ability that Lee brings to the field. In short, James can be an adequate replacement but the Rob Ryan scheme really needs Lee to excel and will miss him if he is out for long. '

As we have seen in this phase of the game recently, the lack of Lee is costing the Cowboys' rush D.

The Bills bring one of the top featured backs in the NFL to this dance, while the Cowboys' rush D has suddenly fallen apart - advantage, Buffalo.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Carolina's DeShaun Foster posted 20/82/0 rushing and 3/7/0 receiving the last time he faced the Bucs (week 3) - it was one of his better efforts of the season to date (he hasn't topped 60 yards rushing once during his past 3 games before the bye, with 55/167/1 rushing and 8/63/0 receiving total during that span). We'll see if the return of DeAngelo Williams to health and the lineup can spur Foster to elevate his production, or if Williams will start to cut into his playing time during the second half of the season. Williams didn't manage much against Tampa back in week 3, though, with 4/-1/0 to his credit that day.

The Buccaneers did a good job containing the Saints' backs last week, holding them to 35/49/1 (Deuce McAllister eked out 15/32/1 rushing during the game), but they haven't been able to play to that level on a consistent basis, averaging 133.9 rushing yards allowed per game this season (26th in the NFL), with 6 rushing scores surrendered to date. Over the past 3 weeks, they have coughed up an average of 121.6 rushing yards per game - they just aren't a top defensive squad this year.

The Panthers went into the bye week cold (off a 35-14 loss to Dallas), while the Bucs have been beaten down most of the season. This looks like a decent, but not great, matchup for the home-team Panthers.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

The Panthers had to deal with the Titans' top-ranked rush D last week, and managed to post 22/78/0 vs. the unit. DeShaun Foster led the charge with 17/63/0 rushing and 2/6/0 receiving, while side-kick DeAngelo Williams posted 4/15/0 rushing and 2/10/0 receiving - as you can see, neither guy was a fantasy standout last week. Over the last 4 weeks, Foster has seen either 17 or 19 carries per game, while Williams' high has been 10 carries with a low of 4 carries (last week). Heading into the 2nd half of the season, it appears the Panthers are still going to rely on Foster as their headliner in the rushing phase of the game.

The Falcons are 23rd in the NFL averaging 125.1 rushing yards allowed per game, and have handed over 6 rushing TDs so far. They've been up and down in this phase of the game of late, with 188 rushing yards allowed in week 6, 91 handed over in week 7, and then 24/116/1 given away to the San Francisco backups last week. Most of the time, it's fairly easy to run the ball vs. the Falcons.

Foster and Williams have helped propel the Panthers to a 4.3 yards-per-carry average this year (tied for 11th in the NFL) - as a team, Carolina has ran the ball pretty well to date, especially given their struggles at QB of late. This week, they have a good matchup to exploit - we'll see what Foster can accomplish against the soft Falcons.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Jonathan Stewart (34/165/2 rushing with six targets for 5/34/0 receiving over the last three games played), Cam Newton (22/162/2 rushing during that time span), and DeAngelo Williams (29/105/0 rushing with five targets for 3/15/0 receiving) are basically a three-headed monster for the Panthers in this phase of the game, splitting up the carries/touches between the players fairly evenly. Stewart has more success than Williams in fantasy circles as he's been scoring some lately, while Newton has been a fantasy monster this year thanks to his prowess throwing and rushing the football (62/322/7 rushing). Taken together, the Panthers' rushing attack is among the league's elite, averaging 4.8 yards per carry as a team (tied for seventh in the NFL) with 1,037 total yards rushing after half the 2011 season.

The Titans' defensive front is pretty generous with yardage this year, averaging 126.8 yards given up per game (24th in the NFL), but they get stubborn at the goal line with just four rushing scores given up to date. Cincinnati managed 30/109/0 rushing at Tennessee last week; Indianapolis had 26/158/1 rushing there two weeks ago.

The Panthers have an elite rushing attack, while the Titans' rush D is mediocre on balance. Advantage, Carolina.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Thomas Jones' participation in this week's game is in serious doubt as of mid-week. According to coach Smith, "Thomas, two weeks having the same problem, yeah, we'll probably tend to lean in that direction (resting Jones) since we do have the guys. But Thomas will play if he's ready to go physically. And we'll never put him out there if he's not. We've said all along it's a long season. We're going to need all three running backs sometime during the course of the year. And that's how it's panned out. Thomas has an injury right now, which is giving Cedric [Benson] and Adrian [Peterson] a chance." In relief of Jones last week, Benson rushed for 14/79/0, and Peterson chipped in 6/58/1. Expect to see Benson shoulder most of the load with Peterson filling a change-of-pace role while Jones heals up his bruised/(possibly) cracked ribs. Now we'll see what the Bears got when they invested their first-round pick in Benson as he figures to be featured this week.

The 49ers are next-to-last in the NFL allowing a total of 12 rushing scores this season (14th in yards allowed, averaging 110.1 per game this year), including last week's total of 32/93/2 handed to the Giants. Over the past 3 weeks, San Francisco has coughed up 113.3 rushing yards per game (while surrendering 1076 total yards in only 3 contests) - they are not one of the top units in the NFL this year.

Benson and Peterson will have a good opportunity to make favorable impressions this week against the mediocre 49ers.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Matt Forte was effective at Detroit back in week five, despite the 13-24 loss that the Bears suffered. Forte posted 22/116/0 rushing (a 5.3 yards per carry average) and added seven targets for 4/35/0 receiving during the contest. It wasn't Forte's fault the Bears lost.

In the three games played since week five, Forte has racked up 66/365/1 rushing with 11/91/0 receiving, while Marion 'The Barbarian' Barber has punched in three TDs with 26/102/3 in his short-yardage/goal-line back role. Together, they are forming a very effective rushing attack for the Bears - in fantasy terms, Barber's proficiency at the goal line is undermining Forte's fantasy value somewhat.

Before their week nine bye, the Lions took apart the Broncos 45-10, but they gave up 30/195/0 rushing to the Bronco's rushers in the course of the game. Atlanta posted 31/129/1 rushing at Detroit back in week seven - the Lions' defensive front hasn't been shutting down opposing runners during recent contests. This season, the team ranks 28th in the NFL averaging 137.6 rushing yards allowed per game, but they are tied for first in the NFL with just three rushing scores given up. At the goal line, the Lions are pretty stubborn.

Forte and Barber are going strong entering week 10, while Detroit has been vulnerable in this phase of the game (especially between the 20's) all year long. Advantage, Chicago.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Cedric Benson kept grinding away at the Steelers' defensive front, and finally broke through to pay dirt in the fourth quarter (18/54/1 rushing with 2/20/0 receiving). He didn't go far against the Steelers (few do), but he did make the game exciting in the fourth quarter. Benson is very much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player this year - he's good for about 20-25 touches on the football week in and week out, but he doesn't often cross the 100-yards combined mark.

The Colts' rush D has been weak all year long, currently averaging 140.9 yards allowed per game (29th in the NFL), with nine rushing scores handed over to date (tied for third-most rushing TDs given up so far). Philadelphia exploited the obvious weakness last week for 31/195/1 rushing; Houston was also a six yards per carry against the Colts two weeks ago (18/108/1).

Benson is a reliable grinder who has a good matchup to work with this week.

The Bengals' rushing attack featured a joint effort vs. Cleveland last week - Giovani Bernard handled 13/72/0 rushing with 1/14/0 receiving, while Jeremy Hill posted 15/52/0 rushing and 1/0/0 receiving. That's an even split for all intents and purposes, and it looks like the Bengals will continue with that modus operandi going forwards as they sit at 8-0 after eight games played. The rushing attack compliments the passing game this year.

The Texans' rush D is ranked 27th in the league at the season's half-way mark, averaging 123.5 yards allowed per game with seven rushing scores handed out to date. Last week, Houston was on bye - they gave up just 20/86/0 to the Titans two weeks ago, while they gave up 35/248/1 rushing to Miami two games back. This unit has swung wildly over the last two contests.

Cleveland made a game of it against the hard-core Ravens, managing to get within 10 points in a 37-27 loss. Unfortunately, the organization has decided to make a switch to green Brady Quinn at QB, which means that the running backs and receivers will have to fight through Quinn's growing pains going forward. Look for opposing teams to load up the box and come after Quinn and the running backs until he proves he can beat them with his arm. Jamal Lewis gained 19/49/0 rushing and 1/13/0 receiving vs. Baltimore, leading his team to 23/64/0 on the ground - equal to the Ravens' season average of 64.3 rushing yards allowed per game.

The Bronco's rush D is sub-par, averaging 144.6 yards allowed per game (26th in the NFL), with 10 rushing TDs given up to date. They handed over 29/75/1 to the Dolphins in their 26-17 loss last week - over the past 3 weeks, the Broncos have given away 332 rushing yards in just 2 games. Ouch.

Jamal Lewis ran into the Ravens' brick wall last week, but this week he gets to punch through Denver's wet paper bag - advantage, Cleveland.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Ben Tate has imploded as the starting running back for the Browns, with 10/3/0 rushing vs. Tampa Bay (4/29/0 receiving) after 15/26/1 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving vs. Oakland two weeks ago. Terrance West (15/48/0 rushing with 1/2/1 receiving) has become the lead option for the Browns, even though talented Isaiah Crowell (zero touches on the Football last week) is a fine talent, he is currently waiting in the wings for another opportunity to carry the football for Cleveland.

The Bengals' rush D is ranked 30th in the NFL averaging 139.6 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores handed out over the first half of the season. They gave up 25/132/1 to the Jaguars last week and 26/107/2 to the Ravens two weeks ago - the rash of injuries at the linebackers' position has gutted the Bengals' defensive front.

Advantage, Cleveland.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Marion Barber III rushed for 27/127/2 (a 4.7 yards per carry average) against the Cardinals two weeks ago - now that the team has enjoyed their bye week, Julius Jones has decided that he's ready to play football again, however. The early word out of Dallas is that Barber, Jones and Tyson Thompson will all get into the act in some capacity. Said coach Parcells on Wednesday, after announcing that Jones will not be listed on the injury report this week "I think now we have a good situation here. We have three kids I'll put in the game, and I think they can all carry the ball. I think you better get used to that around here." That sounds like a dreaded RBBC is around the corner. Stay tuned to see how reality measures up to coach Parcells' rhetoric on Monday night.

Dallas slapped down 46/167/0 on the Eagles during their first contest this year (week 5). Since then, the Eagles have averaged 118 rushing yards allowed per game over the last 3 weeks (3 games), and are last in the NFL with 1148 total yards surrendered during that span. They have coughed up 11 TDs (rushing and receiving) during the past 3 weeks, including 29/78/2 rushing allowed to the Redskins during last week's loss. This defense is melting down at the mid-point, folks.

Dallas has found a new #1 option in Marion Barber III, and he's been running the ball well. With the word that Julius Jones is ready to play again this week, we'll be interested to see who starts and who gets the most touches. Against the Eagles' 19th ranked rush D (averaging 118 rushing yards allowed per game this season), we expect the Cowboys to continue to enjoy success on the ground whoever handles the load this week.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Dallas comes into this game off a 29/111/0 outing vs. Washington last week, led by Julius Jones' 20/73/0 on the ground. Marion Barber III contributed 7/45/0 rushing and 2/28/0 receiving during the game - these two are the complimentary threats that handle the bulk of the Dallas carries. Over the past 3 weeks, Jones ranks 29th among fantasy RBs in points per game, with 57/195/1 rushing and 1/25/0 receiving over 3 games, while Barber III has posted 22/123/2 rushing and 4/52/0 receiving to rank 27th. One thing is clear - Barber III is getting more results in his touches than Jones is despite Jones having a bigger slice of the action.

The Cardinal's rush D ranks 22nd in the NFL allowing an average of 124.4 yards per contest, with 9 rushing TDs handed over to date. Over the past 3 weeks, they have coughed up 340 yards rushing in 2 games (170 yards per tilt), with 39/203/3 allowed to Green Bay back in week 8. This defense is not intimidating the opposition.

Dallas has a good opportunity to post solid-to-outstanding numbers this weekend.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

The Dallas stable trampled the Eagles last week, with 13/57/1 rushing and 3/22/0 receiving for Julius Jones, followed closely by Marion Barber III, who had 16/56/1 rushing and 3/50/0 receiving - Dallas' offense was firing on all cylinders last week, and each half of the tandem got their due during the game.

The Giants' rush D handed over 28/116/0 rushing to the Dolphins' backup running backs two weeks ago, and have allowed more than 100 yards rushing in each of their last 3 games. The team ranks 11th in the NFL averaging 101 rushing yards allowed per game, with 6 rushing TDs given away to date.

Jones and Barber have a good matchup to work with this week, as their divisional rivals have stumbled in this phase of the game of late.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

DeMarco Murray is expected to be out for this first clash between the NFC East rivals, so look for more Felix Jones (9/39/0 rushing and 5/70/0 receiving at Atlanta last week) and Lance Dunbar (8/26/0 rushing with two targets for zero receptions vs. the Falcons). Jones hasn't been spectacular in relief of Murray (22/58/1 rushing with 5/70/0 over the last two games), but he's what the Cowboys have as a featured back right now.

The Eagles' fortunes on defense continue to wane - even the sorry Saints' running backs managed 25/140/1 vs. Philadelphia last week, while Atlanta posted 37/146/0 rushing two weeks ago. Since firing Juan Castillo, the new D hasn't improved in this phase.

Jones and Dunbar have a good matchup to work with in this game.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

DeMarco Murry didn't contribute much vs. Minnesota last week (4/31/0 rushing with 6/19/0 receiving), but at least he was into double-digits in touches on the ball. The mere nine rushing attempts during the game was the least number of rushes ever attempted by Dallas in a football game during their history - 'You'd certainly like to have more balance than that, obviously,' head coach Jason Garrett said. 'We'll keep striving for that.' Fantasy owners hope that Murray gets more opportunities during Week 10.

The Saints' rush D ranks 25th in the NFL averaging 121.2 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs given up to date. They coughed up 36/198/2 to the Jets last week and 25/88/1 to Buffalo two games ago. This is not a good defensive front, friends.

Advantage, Dallas.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Denver went into the bye week on a huge roll in this phase of the game, with 21/126/1 rushing for Mike Anderson vs. Philly, and 14/107/2 to the credit of Tatum Bell. They lead the NFL in yards per carry after their bye week (5.3 per rush at the mid-point of the year) and both Anderson and Bell are on pace to blow through the 1,000 yards-rushing barrier during 2005 (133/604/8 for Anderson to date; 80/562/5 for Bell). Start them if you've got them.

Oakland is mediocre at defending vs. opposing running backs, averaging 115.6 rushing yards allowed per game this year, with 9 rushing scores surrendered to date. Kansas City ripped up this defensive front last week for 24/114/2, including a game-winning TD as time expired - it's fair to say that the Raiders' rush defense is reeling coming into this matchup.

Denver fields a powerful and diverse attack that can burn you up the middle or around the ends, depending on where a particular defense is weak (or burn you all the way around, just ask the Eagles). The Raiders aren't overpowering in this phase of the game - advantage, Denver.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

The first time these teams played, back in week 6, Tatum Bell racked up 23/83/1 rushing and 4/11/0 receiving while Mike Bell cooled his heels on the sidelines (1/2/0 rushing on the day). This time around, though, Mike Bell may see more action as Tatum Bell is still struggling with his sore big toes (turf toe injuries) and was unable to work last week. The early word out of Denver is that Tatum Bell expects to play this week, but turf toe has a way of flaring up unpredictably - fantasy squads with either Bell rostered will want to keep a close eye on the injury reports later in the week.

Last week, Mike Bell carried the load for Denver against the Steelers' defense, and ended the day with a disappointing 17/28/0 rushing, although he did add 5/40/0 receiving to his totals. Javon Walker busted a 72 yard end-around for a score that padded the team's total to 23/115/1 - Walker was an explosive fantasy player last week.

Oakland's defense laid down to the Seahawk's backs last week, handing over 39/207/0 to the Shaun Alexander-less stable. They are 27th in the NFL vs. opposing rushers ceding an average of 136.4 yards per game on the ground (though only 4 rushing scores) - the unit took a big step back last week after looking like they were improving in the previous 2 contests. Part of the defense's problem is that their weak-kneed offense keeps the defense on the field for 35+ minutes with regularity (35:39 last week).

This looks like a pretty attractive matchup for the Broncos' backs, even though this game is another installment of a storied rivalry.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Denver's backs couldn't get any traction against the top-ranked Pittsburgh rush D last week, crawling to 14/27/0 rushing as a team, led by Correll Buckhalter's 9/24/0 rushing (2/4/0 receiving). Knowshon Moreno showed he still has a lot to learn about being a NFL back with 5/3/0 rushing and 0 receptions on two targets during the game. Neither back showed us much against the Ravens, either, although Moreno's TD (the only one Denver scored two weeks ago) preserved his fantasy owners from utter despair (10/39/1 rushing with 2/-4/0 receiving for Moreno two weeks ago; 8/16/0 rushing with 6/30/0 receiving for Buckhalter). Denver's offense has scored 10 points in the last two weeks - a general malaise is dragging down all the Bronco's offensive stars right now.

The Redskins' defenders have been a tonic for most of their opponents this year - to date, the team is 25th in the NFL averaging 126.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up in eight games. Over the past four weeks, Washington has handed over 413 rushing yards during three games (137.6 per contest on average), with 27/181/2 handed over to Atlanta most recently (Philadelphia hung 27/122/1 around the Redskins neck in week seven).

Two slumping units face off in this game - the Redskins are playing so poorly of late that we give a slight edge to the Broncos, but don't expect 150 + yards rushing out of the Broncos and then you won't be disappointed.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

This renewal of a storied AFC rivalry marks the first clash between these teams for 2011. Willis McGahee returned from a surgery to repair his hand after just two weeks off to destroy the Oakland rush D for 20/163/2 rushing last week - he's piled up 123/623/3 rushing and 11/49/1 receiving through seven games this year and is the featured back for Denver heading into the second half of the season. Backups Lance Ball (4/14/0 rushing last week) and Knowshon Moreno (2/4/0 rushing with 2/4/0 receiving) are marginal producers when McGahee is available to play. It's McGahee's attack now. 'There was a point where we were just waiting on the big play. Why couldn't it be me?' McGahee said after the game last week. 'It was great blocking by the line, right up the middle, and then I saw that the (defensive back) had his back turned, and I thought, 'There is no way any of those guys are going to catch me.' They might close the gap a little bit, but they're not going to catch me.' Noted right guard Chris Kuper 'We recommitted to the run, and that's kind of our identity now.'.

The Chiefs' rush D is not strong this year, currently averaging 120.2 yards allowed per game (19th in the NFL), with eight rushing TDs given up through eight games. Miami pushed in a TD last week with 24/107/1 rushing; so did the Lions two weeks ago (28/113/1 rushing).

McGahee and company have to travel to Arrowhead Stadium (never an easy place to play), but they have an edge on the weak Chiefs' rush D nevertheless.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Willis McGahee has handled the ball 70 times over the past three weeks - 63/244/1 rushing with 7/79/0 receiving - while Ronnie Hillman has seen 17/93/0 rushing with 2/1/0 receiving during that same time span. Though McGahee didn't thrill fantasy owners at Cincinnati (23/66/0 rushing with 1/4/0 receiving) he remains the workhorse here - Hillman handled 1/4/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving last week.

The Panthers' rush D currently ranks 20th in the NFL averaging 119.0 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given up to date. Washington piled up 32/151/1 rushing last week, though, while Chicago had 19/79/1 on the ground two weeks ago. Carolina has bounced around their sub-par average in recent weeks.

McGahee had an off week at Cincinnati, but against the generous Panthers he should do well in week 10. Advantage, Denver.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Knowshon Moreno is the MAN for the Broncos heading into the second half of the season - after eight games he's posted 109/457/8 rushing and 29/287/1 receiving to land at fourth among all fantasy running backs (PPR scoring), with 44/126/4 rushing and 16/160/1 receiving over the past three games played. Start Moreno if you've got him and smile!

The Chargers' rush D ranks 23rd in the NFL at the season's mid-point, with 118.4 yards allowed per game, and six rushing scores surrendered to date. Washington piled up 40/209/4 rushing on San Diego last week, while Jacksonville had 17/78/0 two games ago - the Chargers fell apart at Washington but are usually made of sterner stuff.

Moreno is on a roll, while the Chargers are knocked back on their heels coming into this AFC West clash - we give the visiting Broncos a slight edge here.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Kevin Jones has been banged up most of the season, and made another early exit from a game last week when his injured shoulder was aggravated vs. the Saints. His fragility is limiting his fantasy impact during 2005 (and not helping the anemic Lions' offense, either). With little to fear from the passing game, teams are loading up against the run and stuffing the Lions (the team ranks 26th in the NFL averaging 89.1 rushing yards per game this year) - Jones has scraped up 46/155/1 rushing and 8/31/0 receiving over the last 3 weeks to rank 31st among all fantasy backs during that period. Keep an eye on his practice status as the week goes along - Artose Pinner (6/11/1 rushing last week) and Shawn Bryson (3/15/0 rushing last week) will sub for Jones if his shoulder won't let him play.

The Cardinals are weak at the goal-line, leading the NFL with 13 rushing scores surrendered to date (tied with the Bills). They also rank 22nd in the league allowing an average of 121.8 rushing yards per game - over the past 3 weeks, Arizona has coughed up an average of 148 rushing yards per game and 8 total TDs in 3 games - Seattle blasted them for 33/208/3 on the ground - they are a bottom-feeding defensive unit this season, folks.

Whoever carries the ball for the Lions this week should enjoy good results vs. the struggling Cardinals.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Kevin Jones posted a workman-like 17/71/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving vs. the Broncos last week (as a team, the Lions had 29/130/1 on the ground). Jones' backup, T.J. Duckett, racked up 5/48/1 in a change of pace role - the two are combining to form a solid RB stable as we head into the 2nd half of the season.

The Cardinals are pretty generous in this phase of the game, allowing an average of 115.1 rushing yards per game (18th in the NFL), with 7 rushing TDs given away to date. In 3 of their last 4 games, the Cardinals have surrendered 123 or more rushing yards, including last weeks' total of 46/162/1 handed over to the Buccaneers' stable. The Cardinals' defenders are soft in this phase of the game.

Jones and Duckett are forging a strong rushing attack in Detroit, and they have a very good matchup to work with this week. Advantage, Lions.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Eddie Lacy tore up the Bears for 22/150/1 rushing last week, and James Starks scored as well, with 6/40/1. As Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone during the game and is out indefinitely, the Packers are likely going to lean on this tandem of backs heavily while Seneca Wallace is the Packers' starting quarterback - it would be no surprise to see each guy with double-digit touches going forwards, with Lacy in the lead role among this duo.

The Eagles' rush D is ranked 15th in the NFL averaging 111.8 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given away so far. They got hammered by Oakland for 33/210/2 rushing last week, though, after holding the Giants' reserves to 31/88/0 rushing two games ago. This is an up-and-down unit that has earned it's mediocre season average.

Lacy and Starks enjoy a good matchup in front of the home crowd this week, and they are likely to see a lot of work, too.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Eddie Lacy started slowly in September, but by Week 4 he was finding his rhythm, and he ended the day in Soldier Field with 17/48/1 rushing, and 1/11/0 receiving. The Packers won 38-17 - and they have continued to (mostly) win since that game, standing at 5-3 after their Week 9 bye.

Lacy posted 13/59/0 and 8/123/0 receiving at New Orleans two weeks ago - he's the featured back and gets 20+ opportunities heading into the second half of the season. In contrast, James Starks had 2/5/0 rushing and one target for zero receptions at New Orleans two weeks ago.

The Bears' rush D is ranked 13th in the NFL averaging 110.1 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up to date. They handed over 32/122/0 to the Patriots two weeks ago and coughed up 3/137/1 to the Dolphins two games back. This is not a strong rush D, friends.

Advantage, Green Bay.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Joseph Addai led the Colts in rushing (26/112/0) and receiving (5/114/1) vs. the Patriots - he was Mr. Do It All last week. It was his 3rd 100+ yards rushing game over the past 4 weeks - Addai has really stepped up his game during the second quarter of the season.

The Chargers were blasted and humbled by the Vikings last week, giving up 43/378/4 rushing to the Vikings, including an NFL record 296 yards rushing to Adrian Peterson, a rookie. They are reeling in this phase of the game.

San Diego's defense suddenly looks very vulnerable in this phase of the game - can they turn it around against the powerful Colts' offense? This looks like a good matchup for Addai and the Colts.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

With Donald Brown continuing to be sidelined with his sore shoulder, Joseph Addai has become a real-world and fantasy work horse again - he scored both of the Colt's TDs last week (14/63/1 rushing with 5/49/1 receiving) and piled up 112 total yards from scrimmage. Over the past four weeks, Addai is the 10th-ranked fantasy RB in points per game (PPR format), with 54/189/2 rushing and 8/56/1 receiving to his credit. He's come on strong during the second quarter of the season.

The New England Patriots are stubborn at the goal line (as we've said for weeks, now) - they have only allowed two rushing TDs all year long, with an average of 112.4 rushing yards given up per game (20th in the NFL in this category). Over the last four weeks, the Patriots have allowed 415 rushing yards (over three games, an average of 138.3 per contest) - Miami notched 31/133/1 rushing vs. this group last week. The Patriots' rush D has slipped a notch or two during the second quarter of the season.

Addai is coming on strong, while the Patriots stumbled last week and are pretty generous with yardage between the 20's - advantage, Indianapolis.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Donald Brown came within three yards of 100 yards combined last week (15/50/0 rushing with 3/47/0 receiving), but Jarvarris James punched in the TDs (much to Brown owners' disgust), with 4/12/2 rushing at Philadelphia. With Joseph Addai still suffering from a neck injury and Mike Hart nursing a sore ankle - neither traveled with the team to Philadelphia last week - we may well see more of the Brown-and-James show in week 10. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the news for more updates on the situation as late-week practices go down.

The Bengals' defensive front is currently 23rd in the NFL averaging 120.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs handed over to date. They've given up 411 rushing yards and 88 total points over the last three contests, including 32/121/1 rushing allowed to Pittsburgh last week and 31/137/1 handed over to Miami two weeks ago. These guys don't scare much of anybody, friends.

The Colts' stable is thin due to injury, but the guys who can play this week will enjoy a good matchup at home.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Donald Brown (6/49/0 rushing with two targets for zero receptions) and Trent Richardson (8/20/0 rushing and 2/33/0 receiving) are essentially splitting carries at this point of the season - over the past two games, Richardson as seen 22/57/0 rushing and 2/33/0 receiving while Brown has compiled 17/72/0 rushing and 3/42/0 receiving. Neither guy is putting up compelling fantasy numbers in this dual-threat approach, unfortunately.

The Rams were crushed by the Titans' backs last week, allowing 35/198/4 rushing to Tennessee, while Seattle as held to 15/44/0 rushing two games ago - you'd expect those numbers to be flip-flopped as Tennessee has struggled to run the ball most of the season while Seattle has Marshawn Lynch. Anyways, it's apparent that the Rams have earned their season average of 125.2 rush yards allowed per game (28th in the NFL), with 11 rushing scores given away to date.

This should be a good matchup for the underwhelming Colts' attack.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Jacksonville's tandem of Fred Taylor (16/84/0 rushing and 1/19/0 receiving) and Maurice Jones-Drew (8/10/1 rushing and 7/58/0 receiving) provided the bulk of the offense the last time these teams faced off, during week 7. Since then, the team benched Byron Leftwich for David Garrard, who has ripped off 2 straight victories at the helm and looks to be in the driver's seat at QB - the Jacksonville offense is much stronger coming into week 10 than they were entering week 7. That's a good thing for both of these backs as they are also key players in the passing game.

The Texans were pounded for 28/122/1 by the Giants' backs last week, and have averaged 111.6 rushing yards allowed per game over their past 3 contests. That's a little better than their season average of 133 rushing yards allowed per game (9 rushing scores allowed to date), but still not very good. They are one of the weaker defensive fronts in the NFL.

This looks like a good matchup for the home team Jaguars.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The Jaguars' rushing attack stinks. They do average 4.0 yards per carry, but its been weeks since anyone went over 100 yards rushing for this team. Maurice Jones-Drew managed 10/33/1 on the ground last week, while Fred Taylor plodded to 5/12/0. Jones-Drew added 2/29/0 through the air to his totals.

The Detroit rush D stinks. They average an astronomical 161.8 yards given up per game, with 11 rushing TDs surrendered so far this year. Chicago blasted Detroit for 30/154/2 rushing last week - par for the course when it comes to the Lions.

Two awful units meet in this matchup - it is a good matchup for the struggling Jags, but don't get your hopes up too high.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

With Maurice Jones-Drew out, Jacksonville is hamstrung in this phase of the game. Rashad Jennings has put up 50/148/1 rushing with 16/121/0 receiving over the past three weeks - 49.3 yards rushing and 40.3 yards receiving per game on average. The Jaguars have lost all six games in which Jennings has recorded statistics this year. Ouch.

The Colts average 130.8 yards rushing allowed per game (25th in the NFL), with nine rushing scres handed over to date. Miami had 18/84/1 rushing last week - Tennessee put up 25/112/0 rushing on this group two weeks ago. Indianapolis clamped down somewhat from their early-season showings, but there is still work to do.

Advantage, Jacksonville.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Jacksonville is getting stomped routinely this season - most recently 42-10 by San Francisco - and the lack of scoring is holding down all their players in fantasy terms. Here's how bad it is - the Jaguars have a total of four passing TDs and three rushing TDs over the first half of the season. In this phase of the game, Jacksonville ranks 31st in the NFL averaging just 3.0 yards per carry, and only 66.4 rushing yards per game. Maurice Jones-Drew has 122/391/2 rushing and 16/110/0 receiving to his credit (29th among all fantasy running backs in the PPR paradigm).

This week, Jacksonville travels to Tennessee to renew their AFC South rivalry - the Titans are soft enough (26th in the NFL averaging 122.5 rushing yards allowed per game, with 10 rushing scores surrendered) that Jones-Drew may have a chance to be fantasy-relevant this week. The Rams posted 32/160/2 rushing vs. Tennessee last week, while San Francisco had 41/153/3 there two games ago.

This is as good a matchup as Jones-Drew will see all year.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Larry Johnson injured his right foot during the game last week, and a firestorm of media coverage has erupted around the injury situation. Johnson will miss this week's game according to coach Herm Edwards. Unofficially, there are reports at mid-week that Johnson suffered a broken bone in his foot and is done for the season. Right now, we think that Johnson is out for at least a few weeks and perhaps longer - Priest Holmes looks like the guy positioned to lead a new committee of running backs for the Chiefs (with Kolby Smith likely to chip in with some carries here and there). Now, the next question is "does Holmes still have 'it' after so long on the shelf?" We'll find out soon enough, but realize that the Chiefs' current OL is nowhere near as good as the one Holmes ran behind in his heyday (K.C. is tied for last in the NFL averaging 3.2 yards per carry this year).

The Bronco's rush D is awful. They are dead last in the NFL averaging 161.5 yards given up per game, and have handed over 7 rushing TDs to date. Last week, Detroit shoved 29/130/1 down their throat - Denver has given up 200+ yards rushing 3 times this year, and has not held anyone below 100 yards rushing to date.

If ever there was a week for Priest Holmes to make a triumphal comeback to the NFL, this is the week - advantage, K.C. The question is, can Holmes take advantage of the opportunity?

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Larry Johnson led the Chiefs in rushing back in week two - he's since been released by the team, so obviously we're not going to learn a lot about this matchup for the Chiefs by looking back at near history. Last week, the new running back by committee for the Chiefs was led by Jamaal Charles (6/36/0 rushing), with contributions by Kolby Smith (4/17/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving) and Dantrell Savage (2/4/0 rushing with 1/8/0 receiving). After the game, coach Todd Haley indicated that the lack of running plays was due to the Jaguars playing in a 4-3 base defense most of the game: 'It wasn't what we practiced against,' Haley said. 'I thought for the most part we had an idea of what was going on. [The offensive imbalance] was all predicated [on the defense]. On a lot of our runs, there was a lot of pressure coming. They were bringing safeties from both edges, run blitzes we call them.' We'll see what the offensive mix looks like this week.

The Raiders' rush D was awful during the second quarter of the season, allowing the second-most rushing yards in the league in the four weeks before their week nine bye (703 rushing yards allowed, 175.75 per game on average). The team was also second-worst in the NFL during that time span with 115 total points allowed - the Jets trampled them for 54/316/4 rushing back in week seven, and San Diego piled up 30/100/2 rushing vs. Oakland in week eight.

The Chiefs are still tinkering with their RB stable now that Larry Johnson is out the door - the committee figures to have a good showing this week against the tissue-paper rush defense that the Raiders field.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Jamaal Charles - 20/78/1 rushing and 2/10/0 receiving vs. the Jets last week; 14/67/2 rushing with 4/44/0 receiving vs. the Rams two games back. Now that Andy Reid is remembering to call his number often, Charles is a formidable real-world and fantasy running back. Start him if you've got him.

The Bills rank eighth in the NFL averaging 92.2 rushing yards allowed per game, with three rushing scores handed out over eight games. However, the Jets posted 35/175/3 rushing on the Bills two weeks ago, and Minnesota had 28/159/0 rushing at Buffalo two games ago. The Bills' defensive front has developed some big holes of late.

Advantage, Kansas City and Charles.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Ronnie Brown ground out 12/67/0 rushing (2/11/0 receiving) last week, while Ricky Williams found pay-dirt with 10/52/1 - both backs averaged 5+ yards per carry during the contest. They form an effective tandem, but neither one is a fantasy icon due to the split work-load. Over the past 3 weeks, Brown has 43/268/1 rushing and 6/38/0 receiving (22nd fantasy RB in points per game), while Williams has piled up 33/133/1 rushing (ranking 41st among all fantasy backs during the same span). Brown has about 60% of the 82 touches the two backs have seen, with Williams garnering a little more than 40% of the chances - 49/82 for Brown vs. 33/82 for Williams.

New England was torched by Edgerrin James and company on Monday Night Football, with 38/132/2 surrendered to the Colts. The Patriots have coughed up 139.5 rushing yards per game on average over the past 3 weeks (2 games), and currently rank 27th in the NFL allowing 128.9 rushing yards per game (9 rushing scores surrendered to date). Their defensive front simply isn't doing the job - the absence of DL Richard Seymour hasn't been helping matters any. They are vulnerable to opposing rushers this year, without a question.

Brown and Williams are rounding into a very respectable tandem on the ground, while the Patriots' defenders are languishing at the bottom of the league's dogpile. Advantage, Dolphins.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Ronnie Brown is going full bore entering the second half of the season, posting 29/157/0 rushing and 2/33/0 receiving against the stout Bears last week and amassing 44/216/0 rushing and 7/96/0 receiving over the last 2 games. He's got a lot of momentum behind him, and the big guys up front are doing their job (Miami has a 4.1 yards-per-carry average to their credit this season).

Kansas City's rush D is right in the middle of the NFL tribe this year, allowing an average of 113.4 yards per game (16th in the league) with 6 rushing TDs given up to date. Over the past 3 weeks, they've averaged a much stronger 86.3 rushing yards allowed per game, including last week's total of 28/115/1 handed over to the Rams. They are nothing special at the midpoint of the season, but they aren't a disaster area, either.

This looks like a good matchup for the streaking Brown.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

This battle of Florida will be fought out on Monday Night Football next week - Miami comes into the contest with a renewed rushing attack that put up 30/157/1 on the Bengals last week (16/105/0 rushing with 4/24/0 receiving for Lamar Miller; 12/38/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving for Daniel Thomas) and 31/156/0 at New England (18/89/0 rushing with 3/23/0 receiving for Miller; 9/47/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving for Thomas). It appears that Miller is finally claiming lead-back status in this stable, but Miami does love to go with the 'hot hand' so if Miller stumbles out of the blocks Thomas may see more touches than he has of late.

The Buccaneers' rush D is 13th in the NFL averaging 107.5 yards allowed per game, with only four rushing scores given out to date. Seattle had 35/198/1 rushing against this group last week, though, and Carolina posted 27/129/2 on them two weeks ago - the defensive front is crumbling before our eyes entering the second half of the season.

Miami enjoys an edge in this game.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Adrian Peterson steamrolled over the Texans last week (25/139/1 rushing, with 7/38/0 rushing and 3/25/0 receiving for Chester Taylor). Peterson's piled up 47/260/3 rushing with 1/9/0 receiving over the past 3 games - Peterson is on fire, folks, and ranks as the #1 fantasy RB during that time span. Way back in week 1, Peterson (19/103/1 rushing and 1/11/0 receiving) and Taylor (5/19/0 rushing and 3/21/0 receiving) helped the Vikings to 33/187/1 vs. the Pack.

The Packers' rush D was blown up for 36/178/1 by the Titans last week, and currently averages 146.4 yards allowed per contest(27th in the NFL), with 8 rushing TDs allowed in 8 games. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Packers have handed over 251 yards rushing - they are up and down in this phase of the game of late.

Peterson is one of the best RBs in the game right now, and he feasted on Green Bay the last time around the block - as of mid season, the Packers are fielding one of the worst rush defenses in the league. Advantage, Minnesota.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Vikings ran the ball with ease vs. Detroit back in week two, with 15/92/1 rushing for Adrian Peterson (a 6.1 yards per carry average), and 25/112/1 rushing as a team. In the end, the Vikings won 27-13. Minnesota enters this divisional rematch off a bye, so they should be relatively healthy and well-rested. Adrian Peterson scored a rushing TD in each of the two games prior to the bye (25/97/1 rushing with 1/44/0 receiving vs. Green Bay; 18/69/1 rushing with 4/60/0 receiving vs. Pittsburgh the week before) - he's got momentum at his back coming into this contest.

The Lions field the league's 17th-ranked rush D this year, averaging 109.9 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given up so far. Seattle could only muster 18/55/81 rushing last week; Steven Jackson and St. Louis ground out 26/150/1 in the previous contest, though. On balance, the Lions have a mediocre-to-sub-par rush D this year, depending on the week in question.

The Vikings field one of the greatest backs in the league while the Lions will be on the road with their so-so unit. Advantage, Minnesota.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Adrian Peterson looked like the Adrian Peterson of 2012 last week, posting 25/140/1 rushing and 3/37/0 receiving at Dallas. He's scored a rushing TD in two straight games and has had over 20 yards receiving in four straight contests - fantasy owners of Peterson have hope in the second half of the season.

The Washington rush D ranks 22nd in the NFL averaging 116.6 yards allowed per game, with 10 rushing scores given up to date. The Chargers only managed 16/69/0 rushing last week, though, and the Broncos had 31/107/1 two games ago - this defensive front is clamping down of late.

A suspect defense faces an elite running back in this one - advantage, Minnesota.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Adrian Peterson continued his solid play against the Rams, posting 29/125/1 rushing with 2/18/0 receiving on the day. He's the third-ranked fantasy running back in the land after eight games, with 169/758/4 rushing and 17/125/0 receiving to his credit. Start him if you've got him.

The Raiders' rush D is ranked eighth in the NFL averaging 96.9 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores handed out so far. Last week, Pittsburgh put up a hefty 30/195/2 rushing on this unit; the Raiders gave up 21/74/0 to the Jets two weeks ago. They've been up and down in this phase of the game of late.

Advantage, Minnesota and Peterson.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Dion Lewis has been lost for the season due to a torn ACL, but the Patriots have always had a next-man-up mentality (especially with running backs) and so they now aim to replace Lewis with some combination of James White in the Lewis role and then perhaps emphasizing LeGarrette Blount a little more heavily. Whatever the case turns out to be you can be sure that the game plan in this phase will remain less-predictable than fantasy owners might like. So far this year, Blount has 98/447/5 rushing with 3/27/1 receiving, while White has handled 7/15/0 rushing and 7/52/0 receiving in limited action.

The Giants' rush D allowed 23/136/1 to the Buccaneers last weekend, and allowed 26/103/0 to the Saints two games ago. To date, the team is ranked 22nd in the NFL averaging 114.8 rushing yards given up per game, with six rushing scores handed out.

This is a good matchup for the visitors.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

The Saints struggled to run the ball at top-ranked the New York Jets' house last week (13/41/0 rushing) - Pierre Thomas handled 6/24/0 rushing and 7/66/0 receiving to lead the team's backs, while Mark Ingram had a mere 4/19/0 rushing (the Saints continue to insist on playing the draft bust Ingram even though Khiry Robinson has been more effective - Robinson was inactive to make room for Ingram). Darren Sproles was concussed early in the game and didn't return to action (his status for this week's game is unclear as of mid-week - stay tuned to Footballguys.com's Players in the News for the latest on Sproles as the weekend gets nearer). If Sproles remains out Thomas will handle his role as a receiver out of the backfield, which was productive for Thomas last week.

The Dallas rush D is 16th in the NFL averaging 114 yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given out to date. They are a mediocre bunch in this phase of the game. Minnesota put up 29/169/2 rushing at Dallas last week, while Detroit had 29/143/3 two games ago. Over half of the season's rushing TDs have been surrendered in the last two weeks - the Dallas defensive front is in a swoon entering this game.

The Giants' backs eased back on the throttle last week, but still managed to post 32/93/2 as a group (21/71/0 rushing and 2/32/0 receiving for Tiki Barber; 5/3/2 for Brandon Jacobs). Barber was the 6th best fantasy RB in the NFL over the past 3 weeks, with 64/363/2 rushing and 9/61/0 receiving: however, the goal-line carries are flowing to Jacobs right now which is going to reduce Barber's trips into the end-zone. Don't be surprised to see well over 100 yards combined from Barber each week going forward, but he'll likely go stretches without TDs.

The Vikings rank 26th in the NFL allowing an average of 127.6 rushing yards per game, with 10 rushing scores given up to date. Over the past 3 games, they've done better (71.3 rushing yards allowed per game), but the passing defense has given up an average of 300+ yards per game, so it may be that teams have simply elected to pass against the soft Vikings secondary. In any case, they aren't tough around the goal line, surrendering 20/58/1 to the Lions' backups last week after Kevin Jones was sidelined with a shoulder problem.

The Giants' running game is developing into an impressive 1-2 punch between Barber and Jacobs, while the Vikings are usually pretty soft (and they aren't stout at the goal-line). Advantage, New York.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Back in week two, the Raiders were led in rushing by Darren McFadden (12/35/1), followed by Michael Bush (9/35/0) - since then, McFadden has been sidelined for many weeks due to injury, and Justin Fargas has taken over the lead back's job from Michael Bush. The early word this week is that McFadden may finally be ready to play again in week 10, but it remains to be seen how rusty he is or if he can make it through a week of practices without a setback. Keep an eye on Footballguys.com's players in the news as the week progresses to monitor McFadden's progress/his number of repetitions with the first team.

Over the past four weeks (three games), Justin Fargas has posted 49/213/1 rushing and 7/54/0 receiving to land at 20th among all fantasy backs in points per game (PPR format). Michael Bush has sputtered to an anemic 21/74/0 rushing with 4/22/0 receiving in the change-of-pace role (61st-ranked fantasy RB) during that time. The Raiders' attack is currently 26th in the NFL averaging 93.6 rushing yards per game, with just four rushing TDs to their credit as a unit this year.

The Chiefs' rush D isn't very good - they've given up 426 yards on the ground in their last three games (142 per contest on average), and currently rank 28th in the NFL this season averaging 136.2 yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given up so far. Jacksonville steam-rolled over the Chiefs for 41/173/2 rushing last week.

This is a good matchup for Fargas (and McFadden, if he plays).

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Darren McFadden flopped vs. Tampa Bay, with 7/17/0 rushing and 2/0/0 receiving (before leaving the game late in the first half with a leg injury) - two weeks ago, he was decent with 29/114/0 rushing and 4/23/0 receiving. McFadden has been up-and-down from week to week, driving his fantasy owners to distraction due to his inconsistency - there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to when he'll play well and when he'll struggle. The injury is reported to be a 'mild' high ankle sprain (whatever that means) - he asnt' been officially ruled out for week 10 as of midweek. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the news for news on McFadden's practice participation later in the week. Mike Goodson, who put up 2/0/0 rushing and 6/52/0 receiving last week also has a sprained ankle entering week 10 - fullback Marcel Reece, who led the team in receiving last week with nine targets for 8/95/1, may be pressed into more duties in week 10 if neither McFadden or Goodson can go.

The Ravens' rush D has fallen far from their usual heights this year - Cleveland cranked out 27/116/0 rushing vs. Baltimore last week, and Houston had 37/181/2 rushing vs. Baltimore back in week seven. To date, the Ravens rank 28th among all NFL rush defenses, with an average of 139.5 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores given up to date.

McFadden fell on his face last week, but he's got a good matchup to work with this week if he is healthy enough to play. Both he and Goodson are reportedly rehabbing high ankle sprains this week - if they can't go, Marcel Reece has a good matchup ahead of him this week.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Brian Westbrook is the only fantasy player of note on this squad at the mid-point of the season - he led the team in rushing (16/65/1) and receiving (14/90/0) vs. the Cowboys last week, despite being tightly covered for most of the contest. The Philadelphia offensive line is not protecting McNabb very well (30 sacks to date, 2nd-most in the NFL, with many more QB pressures allowed), which is leading McNabb to dump a lot of balls off to Westbrook. That's good for Westbrook's fantasy franchises, especially in point-per-reception style leagues.

The Redskins are 9th in the NFL allowing an average of 95 rushing yards per game, with 6 rushing TDs given up to date. Last week, the Jets ground out 26/124/0 vs. this defense. They have allowed an average of 120 yards rushing per game during their last 3 contests - they are currently not playing up to the level their season average would indicate.

Westbrook and company face a weakening Washington defensive front in this divisional battle - advantage, Philly.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

The Eagles scored seven passing TDs at Oakland, so they didn't need to run any in last week - all told, the team ran for 24/128/0. LeSean McCoy's 12/44/0 rushing was second on the team - he added 4/36/1 receiving to his effort. Bryce Brown actually led the Eagles in rushing last week with 7/54/0 rushing and 1/6/0 receiving during a 49-20 blowout in the Black Hole - usually, Brown sees fewer touches on the football. The Eagles offense was rejuvenated with Nick Foles under center one game after scoring zero offensive points vs. New York while Michael Vick and Matt Barkley laid a goose egg for Philadelphia. We'll see if they can build on the Foles-generated momentum here during Week 10.

The Packers' rush D ranks fifth in terms of yards allowed per game (94.5), but they have coughed up seven rushing scores to date. They gave up 33/171/1 to the Bears last week, though - the defensive front in Green Bay comes into this game stone cold.

Advantage, Philadelphia.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

The Eagles' 1-2 punch of DeMarco Murray (18/83/1 rushing with 6/78/0 receiving) and Ryan Mathews (11/67/1) helped propel Philadelphia to victory last week - this is a very productive unit entering the second half of the season. To date the Eagles have rushed for 973 yards as a team and average a healthy 4.3 yards per carry.

The Dolphins' rush D is ranked 31st in the NFL averaging 142.1 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs handed out to date. Last week, the Bills took advantage of the obvious weakness with 36/266/3 on the ground; it was a return to the darkest days of September for this defensive unit. We'll see if Miami can rebound from the rough outing.

This looks like a good matchup against a regressing Miami team.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Willie Parker was fairly quiet vs. the stout Ravens' D, posting 23/42/0 rushing and 1/17/0 receiving (the team managed 39/90/0 on the ground). However, he's enjoyed 3 100+ yards combined outings over his last 4 games - the poor showing against the Ravens was more of a hiccup than anything else. Najeh Davenport posted 11/34/0 rushing in the change-of-pace role for the Steelers last week.

The Browns' rush D is very generous between the 20's, averaging 135.1 rushing yards allowed per game - however, they are stubborn in the red-zone, with only 4 rushing TDs given up to date, on the low end of the NFL range from 2-12. Last week, the Brownies held Seattle to 28/105/0, being stingy as usual in the red-zone.

Parker and company have home field advantage at their back this week, and a bend-but-don't-break unit in front of them - this looks like a good, but not great, matchup for the Steelers' stable of backs.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

The Colts' rush D is not impressive, averaging 143.6 yards allowed per game, with 10 rushing TDs given away at the season's midpoint. Over the past 3 weeks, Indy has coughed up 344 rushing yards (114.6 per game, on average), with 32/140/1 given away to New England's' patchwork lineup in week 9.

The Steelers got Willie Parker (21/70/1 rushing) back last week, and hung 29/64/2 around the Redskins' necks while Parker got his timing back. Mewelde Moore struggled in the rushing phase (4/-2/0), but snagged 3/45/0 in passing situations as he reverted to the change-of-pace back with Parker back in action.

Parker wasn't at his best last week, but he's got some reps under his belt now and an easy matchup vs. the weak Colts on Sunday - advantage, Pittsburgh.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Rashard Mendenhall racked up 100+ yards combined last week (22/99/1 rushing with 3/31/0 receiving), while his backups Mewelde Moore (2/5/0 rushing with 2/8/0 receiving) and Isaac Redman (2/2/0) did only spot duty - so much for Mendenhall's touches being reduced by the team. He is the focal point of the Steelers running back attack.

The Patriots' defensive front has crumbled in recent weeks - they now average 117.6 rushing yards allowed per game (21st in the NFL), and have allowed seven rushing TDs through eight games. Cleveland racked up four rushing scores last week (44/230/4); Minnesota posted 28/125/1 rushing two weeks ago. The virtue of the New England unit earlier in the year was that they were tough to score on, but their bulwark split wide open last week at Cleveland.

Mendenhall has been consistently productive for the Steelers - he's got a good shot at a solid outing against the reeling Patriots during week 10.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

The walking wounded of the Steelers' rushing attack shake out as follows as of Wednesday, November 7. According to head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday, Jonathan Dwyer is expected back for the game on Monday night, Rashard Mendenhall is questionable to play, and Isaac Redman (he of the 26/147/1 rushing and 2/4/0 receiving at New York Giants last week) is expected to play as well. Baron Batch (2/7/0 rushing last week) and Chris Rainey (1/4/0 rushing and 2/-3/0 receiving) are also available if the injury bug bites Dwyer or Redman (again). It looks like coach Tomlin will go with the hot hand vs. Kansas City - whoever is productive will 'get the totes' according to his comments on Tuesday. We think Redman and Dwyer will split the carries up for this one and neither is above #27 on David Dodds' early rankings (Redman, #27, 11/46/.3 rushing and 2/16/.1 receiving).

The Chiefs' rush D is currently 26th in the NFL averaging 126.0 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up. San Diego managed 26/123/0 rushing last week; Oakland had 34/135/0 rushing at K.C. two weeks ago.

The Steelers should gain a lot of ground in this phase of the game on Monday night - it's a good matchup for their stable, but realize that a lot of work-sharing is going on in this stable of backs right now.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Le'Veon Bell has amassed 151/711/1 rushing and 47/433/2 receiving so far this season as the every-down back for the Steelers. He hasn't scored a lot of TDs (yet), but he's getting enough work to be an every-week fantasy starter despite the lack of six-point plays. Backup LeGarrette Blount (60/266/2 rushing and 6/36/0) is only significant in that he siphons off an occasional rushing TD from Bell.

The Jets' rush D is ranked seventh in the NFL averaging 88.4 yards given up per game, with just four rushing scores allowed to date. K.C. managed 24/113/1 rushing last week, though, while Buffalo posted 32/67/1 rushing two games back - the Jets' rush D has coughed up two TDs of late, but they are still not pushovers in this phase of the game.

Advantage, New York.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

LaDainian Tomlinson struggled to rush the ball against the Vikings' top shelf rush D, managing 16/40/1 rushing and 6/37/0 receiving during the game last week. He has scored 5 TDs over his last 3 games, though, with a high of 198 rushing yards to balance last week's low during that time span. He's still one of the best fantasy RBs in the land, but last week the Vikings just outplayed the Chargers across the board.

The Indianapolis Colts rush D was stingy vs. the Patriots, holding their stable to 28/105/0 on the ground last week - they have given up 117, 108 and then 105 rushing yards in their last 3 contests, which is respectable but not dominating. They are essentially playing in line with their season average of 107.1 rushing yards allowed per game (15th in the NFL), and they have handed over 5 rushing TDs so far this year. The Colts' rush D is decent, but not outstanding.

Tomlinson is an outstanding NFL running back, and he's got home field advantage at his back this week - this is a good matchup for Tomlinson.

Ryan Mathews regressed at Washington last week with 7/34/0 rushing, while Danny Woodhead remained viable in PPR leagues with 7/21/0 rushing and 9/77/0 receiving to his credit. Mathews is an inconsistent roll of the dice from week to week, while Woodhead tends to post enough receptions (49/391/3 and counting) to be worthwhile as a fantasy starter - in fact, Woodhead is ninth among all fantasy backs in the PPR paradigm at the season's midpoint, even though he only has 53/189/1 rushing to date (think a poor man's Darren Sproles).

The Broncos' rush D is among the best in the NFL when it comes to yards allowed - currently third averaging just 81.5 yards allowed per game, though they have given up eight rushing scores so far. Washington had 28/112/1 there in Denver two weeks ago, while Indianapolis posted 31/121/1 two contests ago. Of late, the Broncos' defensive front has been sub-par in this phase of the game.

The last time these teams faced off (week 6), Maurice Morris ground out 23/74/0 with 2/6/0 receiving - he had a solid but unspectacular outing. The latest word on Shaun Alexander is that the fracture in his foot isn't healing quickly, and the team is waiting until it is fully healed before clearing him for practice - he doesn't look like he'll go this weekend. Morris finally posted a strong game last week, with 30/138/0 against the Raiders, but he's getting pretty beat up in the featured role according to coach Holmgren "He's just sore. He gets beat up pretty good. You go down and see him in the training room, and the ice bill for the organization has doubled. He's got bags of ice on every part of his body, almost. He's been through the wringer, but he shows up on Sunday." We'll see if the wear and tear starts to drag down Morris this week.

St. Louis didn't slow down the San Diego juggernaut last week, giving up 35/216/3 rushing to San Diego led by LaDainian Tomlinson. They average 141.3 rushing yards allowed per week to date, and have handed over 10 rushing scores through 8 games. The Rams are not feared in this phase of the game.

Morris has a good matchup to work with this week.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Shaun Alexander continues to stink up the joint, with 14/32/0 rushing and 1/1/0 receiving vs. the soft Browns last week. Maurice Morris is the more productive back right now (9/55/0 rushing and 2/43/0 receiving last week), and may soon be seeing a larger share of the carries/touches if Alexander continues to falter. On Monday, coach Holmgren also indicated that he is going to change the offensive mix to favor the passing game during the second half of the season "I was encouraged by our receivers and how we threw the ball last night," Holmgren said Monday. "And that might be the way we have to go now. Play to our strengths just a little bit." That thunking sound you hear is Shaun Alexanders' fantasy value falling through the floor.

The 49ers are not good at rush D, allowing an average of 127.3 yards per game (24th in the NFL), with 5 rushing TDs given up to date. Last week, the Falcons (who haven't been able to run through turnstiles on the underground this season) posted 39/155/2 against the 49ers - they are as bad as their season average indicates, if not a little worse, entering the second half of the NFL season.

Alexander and Morris have a good matchup to exploit this week - can Alexander take advantage of this opportunity on Monday Night Football, though? That is the question heading into this divisional showdown - we think Alexander and Morris will be outside of numbers you'd like from your starters this week.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Over the past four weeks, the Seahawks have integrated Marshawn Lynch into their lineup. He started out strongly, with 17/44/1 rushing and 3/9/0 receiving in the Chicago game, but hasn't scored since. So far, his high-water mark was 24/89/0 rushing against these same Cardinals (week seven). Since Lynch showed up in Seattle, he has 61/188/1 rushing with 3/9/0 receiving, followed by Justin Forsett (25/118/1 rushing with 13 targets for 7/68/0 receiving over the past four weeks) and Leon Washington (5/29/0 rushing with three targets for 1/0/0 receiving). Against the Giants last week, Lynch was the primary back with 11/48/0 rushing, while Forsett managed 1/-1/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving in the complementary role.

Arizona's rush D held Adrian Peterson and company to 20/80/1 last week, but coughed up 30/154/2 rushing to LeGarrette Blount and the Buccaneers two weeks ago. So far this season, the team ranks 28th in the NFL averaging 135.2 rushing yards allowed, with eight rushing scores handed over through eight contests. The Cardinals' defensive front is sub-par, at best.

This looks like a good matchup for the Seahawks, despite being on the road at a divisional rival's house on Sunday.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Marshawn Lynch broke out of his slump last week vs. Oakland, with 21/67/2 rushing and 5/76/0 receiving (leading the team in both phases of the game). The Seahawks triumphed 30-24 as they usually do when Lynch is on a roll. We'll see if Lynch and company can maintain their momentum going forwards.

The Giants rush D is nothing to write home about this year, averaging 119 yards allowed per game (19th in the NFL) with eight rushing scores surrendered to date. They coughed up 24/98/0 rushing to the Colts last Monday night, and 35/156/1 to DeMarco Murray and company two contests ago.

Advantage, Seattle.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Frank Gore is the 11th ranked fantasy RB in the land through 8 games, with 143/672/3 rushing and 31/247/0 receiving - he's a big part of what the 49ers are doing on offense. He had a tough game against the Vikings, with 19/41/0 rushing (a 2.2 yards per carry average), but added 5/36/0 receiving to lead the team during a low-scoring affair (San Francisco won 9-3). Over the past 3 weeks, Gore has compiled 31/152/0 rushing and 7/45/0 receiving during 2 games - he's fallen off pace as the 49ers offense has stalled in recent contests.

Detroit's rush D is pretty mediocre this year, ranking 20th in the NFL averaging 119 yards given up per game, with 5 scores allowed to date. Last week, the powerful Falcons gained 26/165/1 against the Lions' defense - they just haven't found a way to shut the opposition down this season.

Gore is a quality back who had a poor outing last week, but he should bounce back against the suspect Lions.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Both these teams come into week 10 off a bye, so they should be rested for this NFC West battle. San Francisco averages 168.6 yards rushing per game this year, first in the NFL, with eight rushing scores to date. Frank Gore is the 13th-ranked fantasy back in total points, with 120/654/4 rushing and 16/121/0 receiving to his credit so far - in his most recent game, Gore posted 16/55/0 rushing and 1/11/0 receiving at Arizona, while Kendall Hunter helped out with 10/43/0 rushing and 1/6/0 receiving. They figure to continue as the team's 1-2 punch going forwards into the second half of regular season.

The Rams average 105.5 yards rushing allowed per game, with eight rushing scores allowed to date. However, New England crushed them 45-7 before the bye week, with 28/152/2 rushing - the Rams look vulnerable in this phase of the game.

Advantage, San Francisco.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Steven Jackson racked up 20/56/1 rushing and 7/40/0 receiving against the Seahawks back in week 6, and has been absolutely on fire since then, totaling 37/170/2 rushing and 16/188/0 receiving during the past 3 weeks (2 games). He's a no-brainer fantasy starter heading into the second half of the NFL schedule, ranking 4th on the fantasy RB board with 170/691/4 rushing and 41/412/0 receiving to date.

The Seahawks have slipped down the board regarding rush defense, and find themselves at 13th heading into the second half of the season, averaging 101 yards allowed per game (with 7 rushing scores given up to date). Oakland's anemic attack averaged 4.9 yards per carry against these guys last week (13/64/0) - they have allowed 430 rushing yards in their last 3 games (143.3 per contest on average). This unit has some hard work to do in the coming weeks.

This is a good matchup for the red-hot Rams' back.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Zac Stacy has cemented his hold on the top job in St. Louis with two outstanding games since Sam Bradford went down - 27/127/2 rushing with 6/51/0 receiving vs. Tennessee last week, and 26/134/0 rushing with 1/-5/0 receiving vs. Seattle two weeks ago. He's the bell-cow back now. Start him if you've got him.

The Colts' rush D ranks 27th in the NFL averaging 124.9 yards allowed per game, but they have only given up five rushing scores to date. The Colts get stubborn at the goal line. Last week, Houston posted 33/143/0 rushing, while Denver had 20/64/1 two weeks ago.

Stacy has a good matchup to work with at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Cadillac Williams' engine was in low when he faced the Panthers back in week 3 - he managed to score a TD, but was otherwise unimpressive with 19/48/1 rushing and 2/16/0 receiving. Since then, things have just gotten worse - over the past 3 weeks (43/141/0 rushing and 8/50/0 receiving during 3 contests), Williams' engine has dropped out of the Cadillac and melted down. He eked out 12/39/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving vs. the Saints last week.

The Panthers' rush D hasn't been stellar this year, averaging 119.8 yards allowed per game (21st in the NFL) with 6 rushing scores allowed so far this season. They coughed up 38/156/3 to the Cowboys before their bye week, and have averaged 134 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games) - they have not recovered a fumble during that span of time, either. This squad just hasn't gotten the job done in recent weeks.

Both of these units are struggling right now, but given how weak the Panthers looked vs. Dallas we have to give the nod to Carnell Williams in this matchup - but not by much.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Tampa got destroyed 14-56 at Atlanta back in Week 3 - they eked out 18/64/0 rushing during the game, led by Bobby Rainey's 11/41/0 rushing (he also led the team in receiving with eight targets for 7/64/0). Since then, Doug Martin has returned from injury and then been reinjured (ad nauseum) - as of Week 10, Rainey is back in the saddle as the lead back in Tampa, though rookie Charles Sims (back from IR designated to return after rehabbing his ankle injury) may command some third-down snaps during the upcoming matchup. At Cleveland last week Rainey went over 100 yards combined, with 19/87/0 rushing and three targets for 1/34/0 receiving. Rainey looks like the lead back in this committee entering the second 1/2 of the season.

The Falcons' rush D is worst in the NFL with 13 rushing TDs given out, and they rank 25th in the NFL averaging 128 rushing yards allowed per game. Detroit had just 23/60/0 in Wembley Stadium two weeks ago, but Baltimore posted 36/123/1 rushing on this group back in Week 7.

Advantage, Tampa Bay.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Doug Martin has cooled off in the last month, posting zero TDs over his last three games played with 53/238/0 rushing and 6/54/0 receiving to his credit. Against the Giants last week he ground out just 11/31/0 rushing with 2/12/0 receiving while Charles Sims posted 8/78/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving (Jameis Winston scored the rushing TD last week with 3/24/1). Both Martin and Sims fumbled last week, a fact which likely keeps them in a work-sharing arrangement again this week rather than one of the backs landing in the coaches' doghouse for Week 10. This is a situation that is unappetizing for fantasy owners at present.

The Dallas rush D is ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 111.6 yards allowed per game, but they have handed out a largish nine rushing scores over eight games played (only Atlanta and Detroit have given out more so far). Philadelphia just trampled Dallas for 35/172/2 last week; Seattle ground out 31/113/0 at Dallas two games back.

This is a good matchup for the Tampa backs as the roughed-up Cowboys look to recover from their mauling by the Eagles.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

LenDale White has strung together 3 straight 100+ yard games rushing the football, and has found the end-zone 3 times over the last 4 games (1 TD in each week except week 8 vs. Oakland). He has become a consistent, featured running back - something that is becoming very rare in the NFL. Start him if you've got him, it looks like White has finally come into his own at the NFL level.

The Jaguars' rush D isn't overpowering this year (especially of late, with 141, 136, and 103 rush yards allowed in their last 3 games) - they handed over 25/103/1 to the Saints most recently. In the course of the season, the Jags have an average of 107.8 rushing yards allowed per game (16th in the NFL), with 7 rushing scores given away.

White has home field advantage at his back and a suspect defense across the line of scrimmage this week - advantage, Tennessee.

Washington keeps finding ways to rob Alfred Morris of TDs in recent weeks, so though he posted 25/121/1 rushing vs. San Diego last week it felt like a rip-off to his fantasy owners as fullback Darrel Young was fed 5/12/3 rushing during the contest. Oh, what might have been Morris owners! Morris is the workhorse back here, but for some reason his hard work between the 20's isn't being rewarded with goal-line carries.

The Vikings' rush D is 11th in the NFL averaging 104.0 yards given up per game, but they have coughed up a large nine rushing TDs to date. Dallas eked out a mere 9/36/0 rushing last week, while Green Bay had 42/182/2 rushing at the Metrodome two weeks ago.

This looks like a good matchup for Morris and the other Washington backs.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

The Cardinals have rushed for 71 yards per game as a team in each of their last 2 contests. 3 weeks ago, vs. Tennessee, they had 55 yards rushing as a team. They average 71.1 rushing yards per game this season (31st in the NFL). We're going to go out on a limb here and predict that the Cardinals will, as a team, rush for around 71 yards this week - in other words, we're not excited about either J.J. Arrington or Marcel Shipp's prospects this week.

The Lions have given up an average of 114 rushing yards per game this season (16th in the NFL), but only 3 rushing scores so far. Over the past 3 weeks, they average 132.3 rushing yards allowed per game, including last week's total of 35/164/1 to their division-rivals, the Vikings. As you can see, the Lions are moving in the wrong direction right now.

A mediocre rush D that has struggled in recent weeks meets a poor rushing attack that has yet to score a TD this season. Home field advantage means the edge flows slightly to the Lions in this game but it's a pretty even matchup.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Chris Wells struggled to produce vs. St. Louis, with 10/20/0 rushing and 2/13/0 receiving on the day - after the game, the team reported that he suffered a neck stinger during the contest. However, with his aching knee already affecting Wells' game, we're concerned that his rapid decline from week eight's 22/83/1 rushing performance at hard-nosed Baltimore is a sign of things to come. Wells owners should pay close attention to his practice participation later this week and he is trying to play through injury right now and doesn't look close to 100%.

The Eagles coughed up 24/133/0 to Matt Forte on Monday Night Football, and Marion Barber punched in a TD with 9/31/1 rushing - all told, the Bears rang up 34/164/1 rushing on the Eagles - the problems with the middle of their defensive front continue to plague the Eagles' rush D. To date, the unit is ranked 23rd in the NFL averaging 124 yards allowed per game, with seven TDs given up so far this year - Dallas managed 10/85/0 rushing at Lincoln Financial Field two weeks ago, while anemic Washington put up just 14/42/1 three contests ago - the Eagles' rush D is heading in the wrong direction entering the second half of the season.

Two under-performing units face off in this game - this looks ugly but about even to us.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Atlanta runs the ball very successfully, week in and week out - they have an average of 5.2 yards per carry this season (3rd in the NFL) and lead the league in average rushing yards per game, with 184.9 per contest at the season's mid-point. Lately, Warrick Dunn (49/243/1 rushing the last 3 weeks, with 6/29/0 receiving to rank 11th among fantasy backs during that span) has shouldered most of the load while T.J. Duckett heals up from an ankle injury. Duckett is expected back at practice this week, which means he will likely resume the short yardage/goal-line role in which he has amassed 45/183/4 rushing during the 6 games he was active during the first half of the season (Dunn had 160/820/3 rushing and 13/79/0 receiving to rank 13th among fantasy backs during the first half). Michael Vick has kicked in 57/340/3 rushing as of the mid-point of the season.

Green Bay runs in the middle of the NFL pack, allowing an average of 107.5 rushing yards per game this season (13th in the NFL), though they have given up only 3 rushing scores this season. Over their past 3 games, the team has averaged 119 rushing yards allowed per game, including last week's total of 33/154/1 allowed to the Steelers. The Packers are not shutting down the opposition, but they don't give away a lot of points, either.

Atlanta is the league's top rushing attack - meanwhile, the Packers are just so-so at defending vs. the rush. We like Atlanta but this looks like a neutral matchup for the Falcons' stable of backs as the Packers are pretty average against the run.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Ray Rice pushed in a TD at Pittsburgh (18/43/1 rushing and 5/43/0 receiving) and compiled 86 combined yards during the contest. He's thrown down for 44/134/4 rushing and 17/114/0 receiving over the past three games - though his yardage totals haven't been stellar, he's scoring well for his fantasy owners thanks to the TDs and (in the PPR format) notching lots of receptions. Ricky Williams continues to be the change-of-pace back with 16/58/0 rushing (with three targets for 3/19/0 receiving) during that same three week span.

The Seahawks' rush D allowed 19/163/0 to the Cowboys last week, and 27/92/0 to the Cedric-Benson-less Bengals two weeks ago. They are ranked 13th in the NFL to date, averaging 110.4 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up. Though Seattle gave up a lot of ground to the Cowboys, they remain stout in goal line situations, and aren't usually so generous with yardage.

Rice is a top NFL back, but he's got a solid unit to deal with in the defenses' damp house this week - this one looks pretty even to us.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Justin Forsett watched Joe Flacco plunge in the lone rushing TD two weeks ago, and finished the game against San Diego with 17/69/0 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving - not exactly what his fantasy owners expected against the soft San Diego rush D. To date, Forsett has posted 133/562/2 rushing and 27/142/0 over eight games played - he's on pace for four rushing scores all year long. Forsett is seeing plentiful touches on the football, but he isn't cashing in with many TDs.

The Jaguars' rush D is ranked seventh in the NFL averaging 94.2 yards allowed per game, but they have coughed up eight rushing scores this year - they are not a stone wall in the red zone. Last week, the Jets had two rushing scores (28/92/2), while two games ago Buffalo had 28/115/0 rushing at Jacksonville.

Forsett gets touches but not many scores - this looks like a neutral matchup from where we are sitting.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The Bills attempted the fourth-most passes in team history last week (51), while only rushing the football 18 times - however, they made the most of the carries with 18/46/2 to their credit. Fred Jackson handled 8/16/1 rushing and seven targets for 5/20/0 receiving during the game, while C.J. Spiller had 7/20/0 rushing and two targets for 1/5/0 receiving last week. FB Corey McIntyre collected the other TD with 1/1/1 rushing during the game. Two weeks ago, Jackson led the team in rushing with 20/64/0 vs. Kansas City (3/11/0 receiving), while Spiller posted 6/17/0 rushing and 4/28/0 receiving. Neither of these guys is setting the fantasy world on fire entering week 10. Coach Chan Gailey commented on Spiller's play on Wednesday, November 10th, saying 'This is so totally different for him, [with] what we're doing and compared to what he did in college. He's still learning how to run and read creases and be able to know whether to cut it up or bounce it out - things like that. Unfortunately, with young talented guys like this we all want them to be unbelievably great right off that bat and that's not fair to them. Give the guy a chance to learn.'

Detroit's rush D is currently ranked 27th in the NFL averaging 127.9 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing TDs surrendered to date. Two weeks ago Washington managed 19/80/1 on the ground vs. Detroit, while New York's duo of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene were held to 25/101/0 rushing (30/110/1 for the Jets as a team). Of late, the Detroit defensive front has played tougher than their season average would indicate - they have been hard-nosed recently.

A so-so rushing attack clashes with a mediocre-but-improving defense in this one - that sounds about even to us.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Carolina has scored 13 points in their last two losses, and they'll be back to either Jimmy Clausen or Tony Pike under center this week as Matt Moore landed on IR Monday. LT Jeff Otah has been sidelined all season long due to injury, and now DeAngelo Williams is bothered by a serious foot injury that is keeping him out lately. Jonathan Stewart, who has been a non-entity in fantasy terms this year anyway, suffered a serious concussion last week and had to be carted off the field - he's iffy to play this week. OK, rookie QB under center - check; neither first or second string RB available - check; offensive line injury depleted - check. Pardon us if we can't get excited about Mike Goodson or Andre Brown going forwards. There just isn't going to be much of an opportunity to get the moribund Panthers' offense revived, folks. Goodson has been told he's the starter as of Wednesday, November 10th.

Tampa Bay's rush D isn't very good, averaging 147 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing TDs handed over to date. They coughed up 23/100/2 to the Cardinals on Halloween, and followed up with 33/130/2 given up to Atlanta last week.

Carolina's offensive unit is worse than Tampa's sad-sack rush D - and that is saying something. This is an ugly, but fairly even matchup, in our book. But we don't recommend you go out of your way to start players on the Carolina offense - they look like desperation plays right now, folks.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

The Panthers defeated Green Bay last week, with 36/130/1 rushing as a team and 20/66/0 rushing with 1/2/0 receiving for Jonathan Stewart, while Cam Newton once again found the end zone with 9/57/1 as the second-highest rusher on the team. This has been the M.O. of the Panthers all year long and at 8-0 you can expect them to stick with the two-headed rushing attack.

Tennessee limited the Saints to 27/61/1 rushing last week, after they held Houston to 23/56/0 rushing two games ago (but the Texans were without Arian Foster). To date, Tennessee is ranked 17th in the NFL against opposing rushers, averaging 111.5 yards per game, with seven rushing scores handed out - they have been considerably tougher than their season numbers indicate in the last two weeks, though.

This looks like a neutral matchup for Stewart and Newton.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Thomas Jones did what he could against the surprising Dolphins last week, carrying the ball for 20/69/0 and hauling in 4/24/0 receiving - the barrage of turnovers short-circuited a lot of drives on Sunday. Cedric Benson chipped in with 8/34/0 rushing to help the team amass 28/103/0 - the Bears have struggled to find holes for their backs all year long, with a sub-standard 3.4 yards-per-carry average (29th in the NFL). Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), Jones has piled up 43/180/1 rushing and 8/47/0 receiving to rank 12th among all fantasy RBs in points per game, while Benson has 16/60/1 rushing and 1/6/0 receiving in the second-fiddle role (37th fantasy RB in the land). They are fairly productive when the rest of the offense doesn't let them down.

The Giants have injury woes along the defensive line right now, with starting DEs Michael Strahan (foot sprain, out this week for sure) and Osi Umenyiora (hip flexor injury, may miss the game) both sidelined due to injury. Justin Tuck has also missed time recently - they are depleted on the DL right now, folks. Even with youngsters like DE Mathias Kiwanuka in the lineup, the Giants were able to shut limit the Texans' backs last week (26/81/1), but they are thin along the DL due to the injury woes. The team currently ranks 8th in the NFL averaging 94.9 yards given up per game, with 7 rushing scores given up to date. They are usually an above-average rush D. If the line takes another hit in the injury department, the Giants will really be scrambling.

The Bears have to visit Giants' stadium this week, so the 12th man will help out the D - given all the injury problems, we view this as a neutral matchup between two units that are dealing with adversity.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis led the Bengals in rushing last week with 17/56/1, but he was last in receiving with 2/-3/0 to his credit. All told, Cincinnati posted 25/91/1 rushing last week - Andy Dalton kicked in 2/16/0 and Brian Leonard had 4/15/0 rushing with 3/13/0 receiving. Over the past three weeks, Green-Ellis is the only Bengal with more than five rushes (52/189/1 rushing with 3/5/0 receiving) - as we noted last week, for better or worse he is the Bengals' featured back.

The Giants lost to Pittsburgh even though the Steelers were down to their reserve running backs (35/158/1 rushing for that squad of backs vs. NYG) - two weeks ago, Dallas eked out 17/19/2 rushing as a team. To date, the Giants rank 19th in the NFL averaging 118.0 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given up - this up-and-down unit is mediocre on balance, but some weeks they look strong, and others pretty weak.

Green-Ellis is a grind-it-out, 3.4 yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust guy for the Bengals - he's got a neutral matchup against the on-again, off-again Giants on Sunday.

Jamal Lewis didn't play vs. the Ravens back in week three, leaving Jerome Harrison (16/52/0 rushing with 5/33/0 receiving) and the now-on-IR James Davis (5/10/0 rushing with 1/1/0 receiving) to muddle along as best they could (a 3-34 loss to the Ravens). Against Chicago two weeks ago, Lewis managed 16/69/0 rushing and the Browns as a team had 29/117/1 to show at the end of their 6-30 loss to the Bears. The rushing attack outgained the passing attack by 43 yards during the game.

After a streak of 39 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher, the Ravens have allowed 379 rushing yards in the last three contests, an average of 126.3 rushing yards per game, with 34/117/1 given up to Cedric Benson and 39/146/1 to the Bengals as a team last week - 'Benson was very patient back there,' said DT Justin Bannan after the game. 'He finds the crease and hits it... As a group, we all need to do better.' The defensive front has been taken advantage of at points during the second quarter of the season - Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and company gained 31/167/0 rushing vs. the Ravens in week six.

The Browns' offense is awful, but Jamal Lewis provides what little spark the team has - against the suspect Ravens, we think this is a neutral matchup despite Baltimore's reputation in former years.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Cleveland will be without Peyton Hillis or Montario Hardesty this week due to their injuries, so it'll be the Chris Ogbonnaya show again for the contest vs. the Rams. Against the Texans' top-five rush D, the Ogbonnaya show wasn't very pretty, with 13/28/0 rushing and 1/13/0 receiving to Ogbonnaya's credit, while Thomas Clayton also struggled to gain much ground (5/10/0 rushing). We'll see if Ogbonnaya can bounce back from the poor showing vs. his old team mates. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said on Wednesday that Clayton will see more playing time this week but that Ogbonnaya will still be the featured running back.

This week, a much more giving rush D rolls into town - in fact, the Rams are ranked dead last in the NFL averaging 153.6 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores handed over to date. However, the Cardinals' banged-up running backs could only manage 17/70/0 rushing vs. St. Louis last week, while New Orleans posted 20/56/1 rushing during their upset loss to the Rams two weeks ago. Of late, the Rams' defensive front has looked better than their season numbers would indicate they should.

The Cleveland reserves will face an improving (but still suspect) Rams unit at home on Sunday - that sounds about even to us.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Dallas has found a solid starting running back in Darren McFadden (as long as he stays healthy) - he's ran for 20/64/0 rushing with 6/49/0 receiving against the Seahawks two games ago followed by 27/117/0 rushing with 1/5/0 receiving vs. Philadelphia last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers allowed 33/114/0 rushing to the Giants last week after coughing up 27/101/0 rushing to the Falcons two weeks ago. To date the Buccaneers are ranked 15th in the NFL averaging 108.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with just five rushing scores given out to date.

This is a neutral matchup for the Cowboy's new lead back.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Denver suffered another rash of injuries at RB last week, and ended up placing Michael Pittman and Andre Hall on IR as a result - Selvin Young has been battling a groin problem and hasn't played of late. With all the injuries, youngster Ryan Torain figures to get a chance, but he was uninspiring in his return to the field last week (3/1/0 rushing won't get it done, folks). Stay tuned to players in the news later this week to get a feel for which back is likely to start on Sunday.

The Browns' rush D is not good, ranking 28th in the NFL averaging 148 rushing yards allowed per game, with 9 rushing TDs given up to date. They handed over a whopping 41/193/1 to the Ravens in their 10 point loss last week. Ouch.

Two struggling units clash in this matchup - sounds about even to us.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Detroit's stuttering rushing attack misfired against the Bears' tough D, eking out 26/53/1 on the ground (Kevin Smith managed to rack up some fantasy points thanks to the TD (14/37/1 rushing with 2/16/0 receiving), but he still isn't touching the ball enough to be a week-in, week-out starter). Over the past 3 weeks, Kevin Smith has managed to be the "best" Lion back, with 28/110/2 and 10/73/0 receiving in 3 games (32nd fantasy RB in the land by points per game), but nobody on this rushing attack is really exciting to fantasy owners. Rudi Johnson plodded to 8/19/0 rushing with 2/13/0 receiving vs. Chicago.

The Jaguars' rush D allowed 29/159/1 to the formerly-winless Bengals, and coughed up 24/104/1 to the great Cedric Benson during the loss. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), Jacksonville has handed over 250 yards rushing - they enter this game cold as ice, folks.

Smith has been productive when given the chance, but he doesn't get enough touches on the ball for fantasy owners to be happy - meanwhile, the Jaguars were roughed up by one of the worst teams in the NFL last week. That sounds about even to us.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Reggie Bush returns to a backfield with an additional mouth to feed - Theo Riddick (3/5/0 rushing and 8/74/1 receiving at Atlanta two weeks ago) has moved in during Bush's absence and staked a claim to touches on the Football. Meanwhile, Joique Bell has been the lead back with 32/92/1 rushing and 4/41/0 receiving over the past two weeks. It remains to be seen how big of a share of the workload Bush will claim once he is back in action vs. Miami.

The Dolphins average 103.5 rushing yards allowed per game (12th in the NFL) with four rushing scores given up to date. San Diego managed 19/50/0 rushing last week; Jacksonville had 30/176/0 to their credit two games back.

Detroit has plenty of talent in their stable, but it remains to be seen how they will deploy those players vs. Miami. This looks like a neutral matchup for the home team.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Detroit was crushed 10-45 the last time they stepped on a field, by the 3-5 Chiefs, and has sunk to 1-7 on the season. They are in spoiler mode now, having changed out offensive coordinators - Joe Lombardi is out and offensive line coaches Jeremiah Washburn and Terry Heffernan were also fired - quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter is now calling plays, but the first results of the new regime were seen in London (see the 10-45 defeat referenced above). Joique Bell led the backs before their Week Nine bye, with 7/56/0 rushing, while Theo Riddick posted 5/17/0 rushing with 6/30/0 receiving, and Ameer Abdullah remained in the doghouse with 1/3/0 on his only carry of the game.

The Packers' rush D is ranked 28th in the NFL averaging 125.1 yards allowed per game, with one TD allowed per game on average (eight so far). Carolina posted 36/130/1 rushing vs. the Packers last week; Green Bay gave up 34/160/3 rushing to the Broncos' backs two games ago. They are playing down to their season average lately.

This is a neutral matchup between struggling units.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The Packers beat the Vikings 33-27 just three weeks ago, and posted 26/114/0 rushing as a team in the course of the victory. The team was led by James Starks' 13/75/0 rushing (3/24/0 receiving), while Ryan Grant chipped in with 9/29/0 rushing in a secondary role. Since then, Green Bay has played one other game, vs. San Diego last Sunday, in which Starks led the team in rushing with 13/66/0 (and 1/9/0 receiving), while Grant handled 4/16/0 rushing in a bit role. If there is a player likely to put up fantasy-worthy numbers from this stable during the second half of the season, it looks like Starks is the guy who'll have the opportunity to handle most of the carries for the Packers.

The Vikings' D allowed 27/140/0 rushing to the Panthers two weeks ago (and then had their bye last week) - to date, the Vikings are ranked fifth in the NFL averaging 94.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with five rushing TDs given up so far this year. Lately, Minnesota has slipped a notch or two from where you'd expect a top-five rush D to be from week to week.

The Packers had modest success running the football at the Metrodome two games ago, and they enjoy home-field advantage on Monday Night Football this week - this one looks about even from where we're sitting.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The Colts' rushers didn't find much room to roam vs. New England, with a paltry 4/13/0 to Dominic Rhodes' credit and 18/43/1 for Joseph Addai - as a team the Colts managed only 25/53/1 last week. One thing that we did see is the pronounced shift towards Addai in the play-calling: over the past 3 weeks, he has 46/221/1 rushing and 6/57/0 receiving to Rhodes' 20/39/0 rushing and 4/49/0 receiving. It looks like Addai has assumed the more central role in the Colts' rushing offense, which is averaging 3.7 yards per carry at this point (25th in the NFL).

The Bills are mediocre in this phase of the game, allowing an average of 118 yards per game (19th in the NFL) with 7 rushing scores handed over so far. Green Bay posted 30/147/0 on the ground against them last week - the Bills aren't shutting down opposing rushers right now, with 241 rushing yards allowed in their most recent 2 games.

Two average units face off in this matchup, with neither holding a clear edge over the other.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The Colts' backs are in a two-person committee right now while Joseph Addai nurses his bum hamstring - over the past three weeks, Donald Brown has seen the most touches, with 35/150/1 rushing and four targets for 2/2/0 receiving, while Delone Carter got an audition with 23/143/1 rushing and two targets for 2/1/0 receiving, but gave way to Brown in last week's game. Brown posted 16/70/0 rushing and 1/1/0 receiving vs. Atlanta last week, while Carter saw just 4/8/0 rushing during the game. It remains to be seen which guy will get more work this week, but we think that Brown is the guy most likely to get fed the ball while Addai is out. Once Addai comes back, he'll be the lead back, but he hasn't looked close to returning over the past couple of weeks. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the news later this week for the latest on this developing situation.

The Jaguars' defense played a doozy of a game three weeks ago, shocking the NFL by upsetting Baltimore 12-7 - they limited the Ravens to 12/34/0 rushing during that game. However, the squad returned to losing in the next contest, with 39/156/2 allowed to the Houston Texans' stable of running backs. To date, the Jaguars are ranked 11th in the NFL averaging 110 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing TDs given up over eight games - they've been wildly inconsistent as a unit in recent weeks, though.

Two iffy units clash in this AFC South rivalry - neither unit appears to have an edge over the other.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Denard Robinson continued his strong running vs Cincinnati, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 17/94/1 rushing and 2/10/0 receiving. He's the best back the Jaguars have this season by far, with 85/423/2 rushing and 14/57/0 receiving (Toby Gerhart is second on the team this year with 55/152/1 rushing with 12/135/0 receiving).

The Dallas rush D is ranked 16th in the NFL averaging 113.2 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores handed out to date. Arizona had 29/102/1 rushing at Dallas last week; Washington posted 31/123/2 rushing there two weeks ago.

This is a neutral matchup for the Jaguars over in foggy London.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Kansas City is in trouble at the RB position. Larry Johnson is still out due to suspension, and Kolby Smith landed on IR last week - here's what coach Herm Edwards had to say of "last man standing" Jamaal Charles earlier this week: "When you draft a guy like that, you know that you can't give him the load of your offense. You have to pick your spots with him." Gee thanks, coach. Jackie Battle and Dantrell Savage are the other healthy unknowns now on the roster. Charles did OK last week in emergency duty, with 18/106/0 rushing (the Chiefs pounded out an impressive 36/183/1 vs. Tampa Bay, scoring the first rushing TD allowed by the Bucs all year long).

The Chargers' rush D is so-so, averaging 106.5 yards allowed per game (16th in the NFL), with 6 rushing scores given up in 8 games. They handed over 2 TDs to the Saints in London 2 weeks ago (26/70/2 allowed), though, and have given up 179 rushing yards in their last 2 games. Not too bad, but not great either, as you can see.

Kansas City ran the ball well last week despite their injury/suspension woes - we'll see what kind of mix Herm Edwards comes up with in the divisional matchup vs. San Diego. On balance, this is a neutral matchup.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Jackie Battle struggled to move the ball vs. Miami last week (14/40/0 rushing with 1/9/0 receiving), as did Thomas Jones (3/5/0 rushing) - Dexter McCluster had the most success on a per-carry basis, with 7/36/0 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving, and Matt Cassel scrambled nine times for 38 yards. With only three points scored by Kansas City last week, there wasn't much upside for any of the players in the RB stable. Over the past three games, Battle has been the best fantasy option, with 49/186/1 rushing and 1/9/0 receiving, but last week wasn't a good week for the Chiefs' offense in general.

The Broncos' rush D is in the middle of the NFL range, averaging 115.5 yards allowed per game (15th), with five rushing TDs surrendered to date. Oakland was held to 26/100/0 rushing last week (although two of the running backs had TD receptions during the game); Detroit posted 28/113/1 rushing at Denver two weeks ago.

Battle and company had an off game last week, but they've got an even chance at a rebound at home against their divisional rivals.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Miami managed 29/75/1 rushing against the Bronco's 26th-ranked rush D last week, led by Ronnie Brown's 20/59/1 rushing (3/30/0 receiving). Sidekick Ricky Williams gained 6/16/0 rushing and 1/23/0 receiving in his support/change of pace role - when it was all over, the Dolphins won but the backs weren't impressive during the contest. Brown is the 42nd-ranked fantasy back in points per game over the past 3 weeks, with 47/129/1 rushing and 5/36/0 receiving, while Williams checks in at 48th with 17/48/1 rushing and 3/66/0 receiving.

The Seahawks lurk among the bottom tier of rush defenses in the league, averaging 115.5 yards allowed per game (22nd in the NFL), with 6 rushing TDs given up to date. They did a good job last week against Brian Westbrook, limiting him to 20/61/0 (and under 100 yards combined), while the Eagles compiled 28/72/0 rushing. Over the past 3 weeks, Seattle has coughed up 293 rushing yards - they aren't usually as stout as they were against Philly.

Brown and Williams are struggling to remain productive, while the Seahawks are slowly improving but remain mediocre - this looks like a neutral matchup from where we sit.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Ronnie Brown got what work there was to be had out of the Dolphins' backfield last week, rushing nine times for 59 yards and one TD - he also had 5/40/0 receiving at Baltimore. Ricky Williams had two carries for one yard in a poor showing on his part. Two weeks ago, it was William's turn to score a rushing TD (9/47/1 rushing with 1/2/0 receiving), while Brown ground out 16/61/0 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving at Cincinnati. As you can see, neither guy has been a world-beater of late, but the Miami rushing attack is respectable in aggregate.

The Titans' rush D is in the middle of the NFL averaging 105 yards given up per game, though they have just three rushing TDs handed over to date. San Diego punched in two of those scores during week eight (34/156/2), and Philadelphia racked up 24/99/0 at Tennessee in week seven. The Titans' defensive front has room for improvement entering week 10.

Brown and Williams form an adequate tandem this season - the Titans' rush D is just so-so, too. This looks like a fairly even matchup from where we're sitting.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Miami gave the Giants all they could handle two weeks ago, with 26/145/2 rushing as a team led by Reggie Bush's 15/103/0 (with 4/17/0 receiving) - both Matt Moore (5/31/1) and Steve Slaton (5/7/1) pushed in TDs during that game, a narrow 17-20 loss. Then last week, their secondary finally denied a team scoring plays and Matt Moore caught fire passing, which opened up some room to roam for Bush (13/92/1 rushing with 3/50/0 receiving) - and Miami won a game 31-3 at Kansas City. As you can see, Bush has come on strongly in recent weeks, while Daniel Thomas was either sidelined (vs. the Giants) or ineffective (7/12/0 rushing at Arrowhead Stadium).

The Redskins' rush D is in the middle of the NFL tribe, averaging 122.6 yards allowed per game (21st in the NFL) with just six rushing TDs given up over eight games. San Francisco reeled off 32/138/0 rushing vs. Washington last week; Buffalo also posted 138 yards rushing vs. Washington but also failed to punch in a rushing score two weeks ago. They are giving between the 20's but harder-nosed at the goal line, folks.

Bush should pile up some nice yardage numbers, but he'll likely struggle to score in this game - this matchup looks about even to us.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

The Dolphins' rushing offense generated all the TDs for the team last week, scoring twice through Lamar Miller's efforts (12/44/2 rushing with seven targets for 7/97/0 receiving) - he was the engine that made the Dolphins' attack go. To date, Miller has amassed 91/478/5 rushing and 27/269/1 receiving over eight games played, making him the fourth-best fantasy running back at the season's half-way point.

The Eagles' rush D is ranked 21st in terms of yards allowed per game (112.9), but they have allowed the second-least rushing TDs to date, with just three surrendered. Last week, Dallas posted 29/134/0 rushing vs. the Eagles - but two games ago Carolina posted 33/204/2 against this group. Right now the Eagles are more suspect than their season average indicates.

This looks like a neutral matchup for the visiting Dolphins.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Adrian Peterson went well over 100 yards combined vs. Arizona last week as the Vikings exploded for 526 yards on offense (Peterson contributed 15/81/1 rushing and 4/63/1 receiving to the team effort). He's now gone over 100 yards combined in three straight games and scored at least one TD in four straight. Start him if you've got him.

Chicago coughed up two rushing TDs to the anemic Bills' stable last week (18/46/2 rushing allowed), and handed over 28/121/0 rushing to the Redskins in week seven before Chicago's week eight bye. To date the Bears are third in the NFL averaging 83.9 rushing yards allowed per game, but they've handed over nine rushing TDs to their opponents this year (tied for third-most in the NFL).

Peterson is a focal point of the Vikings' offensive resurgence - he's got a neutral matchup against a so-so divisional rival this week.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Corey Dillon failed to get much going on Monday night, with 12/40/0 rushing and 3/29/0 receiving - he also turned over the ball by fumbling at a crucial moment in the game. It's fair to say that last week was not the high-point of his season. He's been up and down over the past 3 weeks (2 games) with 30/112/2 rushing and 3/29/0 receiving, ranking 19th among fantasy RBs in points per game during that span. He's not the consistent fantasy stud that he was just one year ago - it's hard to say when he's going to "show up" and when he's going to play poorly.

Miami was ripped up by the Falcons for 41/162/1 on the ground last week - that's a lot more yardage than they usually surrender (they rank 20th in the NFL this season averaging 118.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with 6 rushing scores surrendered to date). During the past 3 weeks, though, they've been increasingly vulnerable to opposing running backs, allowing an average of 145.3 rushing yards per game - the Dolphins are back on their heels in this phase of the game.

The Patriots' RB stable is battered and not very impressive at the mid-point of 2005, while the Dolphins' defensive front has been fading during recent weeks - that sounds about even to us.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

The Patriots gained 24/109/1 against their divisional foes the Dolphins last week - 'It was just guys getting on guys, and Laurence [Maroney] and (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) were doing a good job of hitting the holes, grinding out yards,' guard Logan Mankins said after the game. Maroney led the team with 20/82/1 rushing during the contest, while Green-Ellis had 1/7/0 rushing and 1 target for zero receptions - Kevin Faulk sprinkled in 2/15/0 rushing and 4/35/0 receiving to the mix last week. Over the past four weeks, is the fifteenth-ranked fantasy back in the land (PPR format), with 49/248/3 rushing and 3/10/0 receiving - he's scored a TD in each of the last three weeks with Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris both sidelined with knee injuries.

The Colts are currently tied for 14th in the NFL averaging 108.1 rushing yards allowed per game, and they've handed over six rushing TDs to date. Over the last four weeks, the team has 349 rushing yards given up during three contests (116.3 per game on average). Houston managed 26/81/1 rushing last week; San Francisco posted 18/113/1 rushing vs. the Colts two weeks ago. The Colts are so-so run defenders on most Sundays.

Maroney has built up some momentum over the second quarter of the season, while the Colts run in the middle of the NFL herd this year - this looks like a fairly even matchup from where we're sitting.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis staggered the Jets with 27/136/2 rushing (and 1/13/0 receiving) back during week five, and the Patriots won the game 30-21. Since then, Kevin Faulk (6/32/0 rushing with 5/20/0 receiving) has returned from the PUP for one game, then was inactive last week due to his sore knee after being listed as out on Friday, further muddling the Patriots' committee of backs. Over the three games since the Patriots faced New York, Green Ellis has seen the lions' share of carries in the committee with 31/119/0 rushing and 2/22/0 receiving, while Danny Woodhead has handled 11/33/0 rushing and 5/56/0 receiving in the change of pace role. Rookie Stevan Ridley (6/32/0 rushing and 1/2/0 receiving) is a bit player now that Woodhead and (sometimes) Faulk are available. Faulk said on Wednesday that he was healthy enough to play in the game, but... 'Last week, coach felt like going with someone else. That's fine with me,' said Faulk.

The Jets' rush D has struggled at times this year, currently ranking 22nd in the NFL averaging 123.0 yards allowed per game, with nine rushing scores surrendered. However, they have clamped down in recent weeks, with 25/96/1 given up to San Diego back in week seven and 22/96/0 allowed to Buffalo last week - heading into the second half of the season the Jets are slowly ascending back to respectability in this phase of the game.

The Patriots ran over the Jets in the first game between these rivals, but the Jets have improved since then. This looks like a fairly even matchup heading into Sunday Night Football.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

The Reggie Bush-less Saints managed 26/70/2 against the Chargers two weeks ago, led by Deuce McAllister's 18/55/1 on the ground. Mike Karney picked up the other score with 2/4/1 rushing - Pierre Thomas had 3/28/0 rushing and Aaron Stecker handled 5/27/0 receiving as the 3rd-down/change of pace back. So far, so good for the Saints as they forge on without Bush.

The Falcons held the Raiders to just 10 net yards passing last week, and limited the ground game to 11/67/0 - the Falcons' offense held the ball for an astonishing 45:15 during the game. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Falcons gave up 259 yards rushing - they have bounced up and down in this phase of the game as you can see. To date, the Falcons are 22nd in the NFL averaging 120.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with 9 rushing TDs given up to date. The defensive front is suspect, folks.

The Saints are without their best weapon among the running backs, while the Falcons field a suspect unit - this matchup looks about even to us.

Chris Ivory enlivened the Saints' rushing attack last week, with a team-best 10/48/1 on the ground (with 1/2/0 receiving), but he was helped out extensively by Mark Ingram (7/44/0 rushing with 2/23/0 receiving) and Pierre Thomas (6/44/0 rushing with 2/26/0 receiving) - all told, the Saints fared well without Darren Sproles by spreading the work among their committee of backs. Given the team's success (28-13 win over Philadelphia; 25/140/1 rushing as a team) there is no reason to expect this club to move away from their running-back-by-committee while Sproles is out rehabbing his broken hand.

The Falcons' rush D averages a sub-par 127.5 yards allowed per game (24th in the NFL), with eight rushing scores allowed to date. Dallas' injury-hampered group mustered 18/65/0 on the ground last week, and Philadelphia posted 24/92/1 rushing vs. Atlanta two weeks ago. The Falcons have gotten more stubborn in this phase of the game, folks.

The Saints have a talented, many-headed attack, while the Falcons are getting better at defending the run as the year goes along. We're calling this one a neutral matchup.

Ahmad Bradshaw managed 15/48/0 rushing vs. Pittsburgh, and his chronically-sore foot is flaring up again entering week 10. His counterpart, Andre Brown, posted 7/20/1 rushing last week, but banged up a shoulder and couldn't finish the game (he is expected to practice as usual this week). This tandem looks like the formula going forwards for coach Coughlin, but that could change if Bradshaw's foot becomes more of an issue on game day. David Wilson (17/88/0 rushing and 1/3/0 receiving this year) waits in the wings if Bradshaw suffers a setback and can't play.

The Bengals' rush D averages 117 yards allowed per game (17th in the NFL) with nine rushing scores delivered to their opponents so far this year. Denver had 26/68/0 rushing at Cincinnati last week - but Pittsburgh posted 29/167/1 rushing there back in week seven. This mediocre unit swings from one end of the spectrum to the other on any given Sunday as you can see.

This looks like a fairly even matchup, with neither side having a big edge over the other.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Shonn Greene did a good job of moving the football at New England back in week five, with 21/83/1 rushing (and he added 2/9/0 receiving), while LaDainian Tomlinson had a limited role (2/13/0 rushing and one catch for two yards). Since that game, the Jets have won three straight games, and Greene has run the ball right at 20 times per game (21/74/0 rushing vs. Miami; 20/112/0 vs. San Diego, and 19/76/0 rushing at Buffalo). However, Greene hasn't scored a TD since the loss to New England, and he has just two total scores this season (both rushing). The Jets are currently 29th in the NFL averaging 3.6 yards per carry, with six rushing scores as a team.

The Patriots' rush D is ranked ninth in the NFL averaging 102.2 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given up over eight games. New York ground out 29/111/1 rushing at Gillette Stadium last week; Pittsburgh posted 23/98/0 rushing vs. New England two weeks ago.

Green is modestly productive from week to week, while the Patriots generally give out about 100 yards rushing and a TD in this phase of the game from week to week - that sounds about even to us.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

This Thursday Night Football game is the first matchup between these divisional rivals, with added spice this year as ex-Jet head coach Rex Ryan is now the head coach of Buffalo.

Chris Ivory managed two rushing scores last week, but was stuffed otherwise (23/26/2 rushing with 3/22/0 receiving) - the Jets only handed off to Zac Stacy once (1/3/0) so Ivory appears to remain the lead back, but he needs to start generating more yardage in his chances. 1.1 yards per carry ain't gonna get it done at this level, folks. It looks like C Nick Mangold will be able to play in this game despite aggravating a neck injury last week - the team needs him on the field to help out Ivory in this phase of the game.

The Bills' rush D is now sixth in the NFL averaging 93.6 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given out to date. Last week, Miami managed 23/106/2 rushing at New York; Jacksonville had 32/120/1 when they faced the Bills. Of late the Bills' defensive front has been softening.

This looks like a neutral matchup for the home-team Jets.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Both of these divisional rivals are on losing streaks coming into this first grudge match of the year - Oakland has lost two straight games to land at 4-4, and San Diego has lost three to land at 4-4. The winner of this one will be atop the AFC West where three teams are knotted at 4-4 (K.C. is the third) and Denver is lurking at 3-5 at the season's midpoint. This is a key game for both teams, as you can see.

Unfortunately, as of Wednesday Raiders' RB Darren McFadden (foot injury) is not expected to play in this game because he is still on crutches. That means that Michael Bush (46/223/0 rushing with seven targets for 5/54/1 receiving the last three weeks) and Taiwan Jones (5/19/0 rushing with two targets for 1/30/0 receiving) will handle most of the ball carrying duties for Oakland vs. the Raiders this week. Bush saw 19/96/0 rushing and 2/33/1 receiving vs. Denver last week, while fullback Marcel Reece also scored via the air (3/51/1 receiving). Jones was in a bit role last week with 2/1/0 rushing to his credit.

The Chargers' rush D is ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 120 rushing yards allowed per game, with four rushing scores surrendered over eight games. Green Bay cobbled together 26/136/0 rushing at San Diego last week, while Kansas City managed 32/94/1 rushing vs. the Chargers two weeks ago.

Bush is a solid back who will travel to his divisional rivals on Sunday - this one looks like a fairly even matchup to us.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Latavius Murray went into the concussion protocol last week after posting 17/96/0 rushing and 2/-1/0 receiving at Pittsburgh. Head coach Jack Del Rio said earlier this week he expects Murray to be fine, but that he may be forced to miss this game in Week 10. Murray's backups are Taiwan Jones, Marcel Reece (a pass-catching fullback) and Roy Helu (often inactive for the team this year). We would likely see a committee of the above if Murray can't play on Sunday.

The Vikings' rush D is ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 111.6 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores handed over to date. Last week, the Rams had 36/160/1 rushing at Minnesota; they gave up 25/97/1 to the Bears two games ago.

This is a neutral matchup for Murray (or his backups).

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Brian Westbrook is reporting that his troublesome knee is feeling better after the bye week, stating "It feels good. The swelling's down a little bit, and it's feeling better. I feel good. I'm healthy. I just want to help this team win by touching the ball and making plays." With 97/500/4 rushing and 38/401/3 receiving during the first 8 games of the season, Westbrook ranks as the 3rd best fantasy RB in the land in points per game. Hopefully, he can continue to rack up big scores for his fantasy owners in the second half of the season.

This week, the desperate Redskins come calling at Lincoln Financial Field. They staved off disaster last week by beating Dallas on a bizarre final series, but will need to win this game to stay in contention for the playoffs. They currently rank 15th in the NFL allowing an average of 110.8 rushing yards per game, but they have only given up 3 rushing TDs to date. Last week, the Cowboys were kept smack on the Redskins' season pace, gaining 29/111/0 during the game.

This is always a hard-fought divisional rivalry - the Redskins are pretty solid in this phase, but Westbrook is a big part of the passing attack, too, and the 'Skins are soft in that phase. It's a neutral rushing matchup but Westbrook has great prospects as a receiver this weekend.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Brian Westbrook's status for this contest is up in the air at mid-week: he is still experiencing head-aches as a side effect of the serious concussion he incurred weeks ago, and was in street clothes for the game vs. Dallas last week (he didn't play in the key divisional contests vs. New York or Dallas). Coach Andy Reid also revealed on Monday that Westbrook's surgically repaired ankle is flaring up lately as well: 'Brian had some work done on his ankle, so if he doesn't go on Wednesday, that would be the cause unless something crazy (happens) with his concussion,' Reid said Monday, 'He had a little bit of swelling, so he had some work done.' The extent of the procedure performed on Westbrook's troublesome ankle was not disclosed. If the Eagles are sufficiently concerned about Westbrook to keep him out of a game that determined the NFC East leader, it's likely that they'll hold him out of a non-conference contest. Look for more of LeSean McCoy (he led the team in rushing (13/54/0) and receiving (5/61/0) vs. the Cowboys last week, with some assists from Leonard Weaver (8/33/0) thrown into the mix. All told, the Eagles managed 23/89/0 last week. McCoy has gained 43/186/1 rushing and 12/101/0 receiving in the last four weeks (four games) to land at 24th among all fantasy RBs in points per game (PPR format) during that span of time.

The Chargers squeaked past the Giants last week, 21-20, while allowing 29/116/0 rushing to New York - two weeks ago, Oakland managed 27/99/1 rushing vs. their divisional rival. To date, San Diego is the 26th-ranked rush D in the land, averaging 130.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given up so far. Over the last four weeks, they've coughed up 437 rushing yards in four games (for just over 109 rushing yards per contest) - the team has tightened up during the second quarter of the year in this phase of the game.

McCoy carried the load for Philadelphia last week, and he'll probably be asked to do so again this week - this looks like a fairly even matchup for the two teams, on balance.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

LeSean McCoy has scored just one rushing TD over the past three games, with 49/186/1 rushing, but his prowess as a receiver has helped salvage his fantasy value with 14 targets for 12/62/2 to his credit. Bryce Brown has been the change-of-pace option lately with 10/58/0 rushing - he's gaining some nice chunks of ground in his chances. Last week, McCoy had 19/119/0 rushing and 2/14/0 receiving to his credit - he's getting enough touches entering week 10, but not making much hay with them. We'll see how he looks in this key NFC East matchup.

The Cowboys average 107 rushing yards allowed per game (15th in the NFL) with seven rushing scores given out to date. Atlanta put up 26/123/1 rushing last week; the Giants had 28/103/1 to their credit two weeks ago. As you can see, Dallas stays pretty close to their middlin' average from game to game.

McCoy has been less effective than usual of late - he's got a fairly even shot at a decent game when the so-so Cowboys come calling on Sunday.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Duce Staley is poised to start on Sunday, due to injuries to starter Willie Parker (ankle, questionable on Wednesday) and Jerome Bettis (thigh, questionable). Said coach Cowher on Tuesday "It's probably safe to say right now based on the information we have, yeah, he (Staley) would (start)." He saw his first substantive action of 2005 on Sunday, and posted 15/76/1 rushing and 2/9/0 receiving in relief of the injured Parker. Pittsburgh averages a solid 4.0 yards per carry this year - the OL will do their part to help Staley succeed on Sunday. One thing is for sure, with Charlie Batch (he of the 9/16 for 65 yards, 0 TDs and 1 interception last week) under center, the Steelers will lean on whichever healthy backs they have available (Staley and change-of-pace back Verron Haynes (3/10/0 rushing last week), in this situation).

Cleveland allowed 24/98/1 to the Titans' backs last week - they average 111.3 rushing yards surrendered per game over the past 3 weeks (3 games). This season they have averaged 129.4 rushing yards allowed per game (28th in the NFL) - they have been moving in the right direction in this phase of the game during recent weeks. At the goal-line, the Browns have been made of stern stuff, with only 4 rushing scores surrendered during the first half of the season.

Cleveland has been improving vs. the rush during recent weeks, while the Steelers are getting thin at RB (and their passing attack isn't very scary with Batch under center, allowing the Cleveland defense to key on the run). Home-field advantage will help the offense - this looks like a fairly even matchup from our perspective.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Willie Parker gave it his all against the Broncos, and came up with 14/70/1 rushing and 7/67/1 receiving - you can't blame the loss on Parker. He's posted 56/200/1 rushing and 9/95/2 receiving over the past 3 weeks (7th best fantasy RB in points per game during that span) - he's a bright spot on an otherwise struggling offensive unit.

The Saints have a decent rush defense this year, ranking 17th in the NFL allowing an average of 115.4 rushing yards per game, with 5 rushing scores given up to date. Last week, they limited Tampa Bay to 18/68/0 on the ground, and have averaged 102.5 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games). They are playing pretty solid football in this phase of the game heading into the second half of the season.

Parker is working hard, but the Saints won't hand him anything on Sunday - this looks like a neutral matchup for Parker.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

LeVeon Bell did his part in New England last week, with 16/74/0 rushing and 4/65/0 receiving. Jonathan Dwyer did contribute vs. the Patriots, with two touches on the football (1/30/0 rushing and 1/23/0 receiving) as the sum total of Dwyer's efforts vs. New England. The Steelers seem content to feature Bell and feed him the ball throughout the game.

The Bills' rush D ranks 17th in the NFL averaging 115.2 rushing yards allowed per game, with only two rushing TDs given out to date. Kansas City was limited to 23/95/0 rushing at Buffalo, while Miami managed 25/120/0 rushing vs. Buffalo two weeks ago.

Bell has a neutral matchup here - neither squad has a clear edge over the other in this phase of the game.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

With Frank Gore sidelined due to his sore ankle (Gore warmed up before the game but the trainers determined he wasn't ready to play), the 49ers turned to Michael Robinson (17/67/0 rushing and 2/2/0 receiving), while reserve RB Maurice Hicks chipped in 7/49/1 - the 49ers totaled 24/116/1 vs. the Falcons when the dust settled. Gore owners will want to keep an eye on the practice reports/Gore's Friday injury status as the week goes along.

The Seahawks average 102 rush yards allowed per game, with 9 rushing scores given up to date. They have been up and down in this phase of the game over the past 3 weeks, with 121 yards rushing allowed in week 6, then 53 yards in week 7, and 25/64/4 rushing given up last week to the Browns. They are not consistent in this phase of the game at the turning point of the season.

Gore and company have a neutral matchup in front of them this week at Qwest Field - we'll see which Seattle defense shows up on Monday Night Football.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Steven Jackson had 17/77/1 rushing and 6/62/0 receiving against the Seahawks back in week 5 - he had a very respectable game against them, obviously. Over the past 3 weeks, Jackson is the top fantasy running back in the land in points per game, with 45/267/2 rushing and 4/40/1 receiving - start him if you've got him. He's on a roll.

Seattle crushed the Cardinals last week, 33-19, holding the anemic Arizona stable to 20/71/0 rushing (the Cardinals have averaged only 71 rushing yards per game all season long, though). Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Seahawks have given up an average of 117.5 rushing yards per game (only 2 total TDs during that span) - in fact, they have only allowed 2 rushing scores this season (12th in the NFL allowing 105.5 rushing yards per game to date). Seattle deploys a very hard-nosed rush D, folks.

Jackson is a good back, but in the Seahawks' house he'll have his hands full - as will the Seattle defenders. This matchup looks pretty even to us.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Todd Gurley continued his tear through the NFL last week, with 24/89/1 rushing and 3/20/0 receiving at Minnesota. Over the last three games he's posted 63/350/4 rushing and 10/68/0 receiving - start him if you've got him.

The Bears' rush D is ranked 24th in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game (121.6) but they are tied for first in the NFL with only two rushing scores given out to date. Last week, San Diego was held to 19/77/0 rushing; two games ago Minnesota posted 25/147/0 rushing at Chicago. They are usually kind between the 20s but this team gets stubborn in the red zone.

This looks like a neutral matchup for Gurley and the Rams.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

The Bucs' stable let them down last week with 18/44/1 as a unit vs. Carolina. Cadillac Williams could only muster 11/29/0 (and he led the team), while FB Mike Alstott accounted for the rushing score on his lone carry of the game (1/1/1). As a team, the Bucs haven't gotten much going in this phase during recent weeks, with 38/87/1 rushing as a team during the past 3 weeks (2 games) - 24/49/0 rushing and 4/30/0 receiving for Williams puts him at 62nd among all fantasy backs during that 3 week span, while Pittman's 9/19/0 rushing and 5/32/0 receiving lands him at 73rd on the list - you won't make the fantasy playoffs with numbers like those on your roster.

The Redskins' rushing D is not among the league's best, allowing an average of 119.8 yards per game this season (9 rushing scores surrendered to date). However, they stuffed the Eagles' anemic rushing attack last week (23/45/0), which helps to balance out the drubbing they received from Tiki Barber and company two weeks ago (the Redskins average 149 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (3 games)). The defensive front's performance has bounced up and down recently.

Two struggling units face off in this matchup - neither one has been consistently strong during recent weeks. This one looks pretty even to us from where we sit.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

LeGarrette Blount slowed down this past week (13/46/0 rushing at Atlanta) after a furious week eight game (22/120/2 rushing at Arizona). However, he still handled half of the team's 27 rushing attempts - Cadillac Williams was second on the team with 8/13/0 rushing and 1/9/0 receiving as he continues his slow fade from relevance during the 2010 season. Given Williams' average of 2.4 yards per carry this year, we're pretty convinced that Blount will continue to get fed the ball during the second half of 2010.

If only the Panthers had an offense, they'd have a shot in this game. The team has only given away 936 yards over the past three games, with 326 rushing yards handed over during that time span - a respectable 108.6 rushing yards allowed per game (which would land right in the middle of the NFL range this season). New Orleans did punish the Panthers for 32/165/1 rushing last week, though, en route to a 34-3 thrashing of Carolina. Not much is going right for the Panthers right now - they'll have a rookie QB under center this week and may be down to their third-string RB, so the defense may be on the field a lot again this week (New Orleans held the ball for 34:41 last week).

Blount is still getting up to speed at this level, and the Panthers field a respectable unit, though one that is hamstrung by their lack of offense. This looks like a fairly even matchup to us.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Doug Martin had a game for the ages last week (25/251/4 rushing with 4/21/0 receiving). He's on a big-time roll right now. Start him if you've got him.

The Chargers rank fourth in the NFL averaging 84.0 yards rushing allowed per game, with just four rushing scores given up to date. K.C. had 30/113/1 rushing as a team last week - Cleveland managed 33/133/1 rushing vs. San Diego two weeks ago. Right now, the Chargers are slipping in this phase of the game.

Start Martin even though we rate this a neutral matchup.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

The Titans deployed Antonio Andrews against the Saints, and he responded with 19/88/0 rushing and 1/23/0 receiving to go over 100 yards combined at New Orleans. Dexter McCluster remained his usual gadget-back self with 8/19/0 rushing and 2/28/0 receiving on the day - he's a change of pace option for this club. The Titans have just four rushing scores so far this year, and Andrews hasn't scored over the last four games played. We'll see how he fares here in Week Ten with David Cobb eligible to be activated (Terrance West was released by Tennessee to make room for Cobb). Cobb reportedly was out of shape when he returned to the team's fold so it remains to be seen if he has a role immediately here in Week 10.

The Panthers' rush D is ranked 15th in the NFL averaging 108.4 yards allowed per game with six rushing scores given out to date. They surrendered just 19/71/0 rushing to the Packers last week, while Indianapolis managed 35/136/0 rushing at Carolina two games ago.

This is a neutral matchup for the Titans' backs, though if Cobb is back in the mix we're looking at another edition of their running-back-by-committee.

Washington posted 32/117/1 vs the Cowboys, led as usual by Clinton Portis (23/84/1 rushing and 1/9/0 receiving). Ladell Betts assisted with 3/8/0 rushing and 3/30/0 receiving - over the past 3 weeks, Portis has notched 35/127/1 rushing and 5/30/0 receiving during 2 games, to rank 22nd among fantasy RBs in points per game. At 4.5 yards per rush, the Redskins are 6th in the NFL entering the second half in that category - the big guys up front are doing their jobs for the backs.

Philly has a mediocre rush defense, averaging 117.8 yards allowed per game, with 5 rushing TDs given up to date. The Jaguars blew them up for 46/209/1 back in week 8, though - there is room for improvement to start the second half of the season, without question.

Philly isn't shutting opposing backs down this season, and they were exposed by the Jaguars in week 8 - this looks like a neutral matchup for Portis and company given that the game is in Philly's house this week.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Clinton Portis finally broke out of his under performing rut, breaking through the 100 yards rushing barrier (for the first time this year) in a big way last week against the soft Jets, posting 36/196/1 during the contest. He hadn't been exciting his fantasy owners in recent weeks, but last week was a good week to have Portis on your roster. Ladell Betts joined in the fun with 9/64/0 to his credit (

The Eagles hand over an average of 92.9 rushing yards per game (7th in the NFL), and have 4 rushing scores given up to date. Over their last three games, the Eagles have allowed 72, 105, and 110 rushing yards to opposing backs (32/110/2 given up to the Cowboy's stable last week). Philly has been backsliding in this department lately.

Portis and the 'Skins finally cranked up their engines last week vs. the Jets - we'll see if they can keep their momentum going against the stronger defensive front of the Eagles.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Ryan Torain ripped off 21/125/0 rushing vs. the Bears in week seven, but was stymied by the Lions in week eight, with just 9/10/0 rushing and 3/19/1 receiving - the TD catch saved the game for his fantasy owners, but we're not terribly impressed with Torain entering the second half of the season. Keiland Williams vultured a TD and nine touches from Torain in week eight (6/25/1 rushing with 3/28/0 receiving), which raises the specter of a Mike Shanahan running-back-by-committee rearing it's ugly head in Washington. Pay attention to players in the news later this week to see how the team is practicing with respect to their running backs after the bye week of rest.

The Eagles' rush D is currently 12th in the NFL averaging 103.9 yards allowed per game, with six rushing TDs handed over to date. Indianapolis punched in two scores vs. Philadelphia last week (19/62/2), while Tennessee was held to 26/75/0 rushing by the Eagles in week seven.

Torain slumped before the bye week, and it'll be interesting to see how Washington game-plans for this divisional contest - on balance, this looks like a fairly even matchup with neither team holding a big edge over the other.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Let's put it this way - the Washington backs stink. With 15/37/0 rushing as a TEAM last week, and a bottom-four total of 730 yards rushing this season (29th in the NFL) with just five rushing scores as a unit - well, let's say it's impossible to trust any of these backs in fantasy terms. Matt Jones 'led' the team last week with 11/27/0 rushing (and 2/17/0 receiving) while Alfred Morris posted 4/10/0 rushing. And that's all she wrote for the squad in this phase of the game.

The Saints' rush D is ranked 25th in the NFL averaging 122.6 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given away so far. They coughed up 28/112/0 to Tennessee's awful group last week; before that New Orleans allowed 21/87/0 to the Giants' runners.

This is a neutral matchup for the horrid Washington rushing attack.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

The numbers speak for themselves: Arizona averages 2.6 yards per carry (32nd in the NFL). Edgerrin James has 185/516/3 rushing and 27/162/0 receiving to date (22nd fantasy RB in the land in points per game). Over the past 3 weeks, James has posted 37/118/1 rushing and 4/29/0 receiving during 2 contests (24th RB in points per game during that span). James is a borderline #2 RB for most fantasy squads - which is underperforming compared to where most teams drafted him.

The Cowboys boast the league's 5th ranked rush D in terms of yards allowed per game, giving up an average of 85.4 per contest. They have coughed up 8 rushing scores so far, however, which is in the middle of the NFL range (1-13 league wide). Over the past 3 weeks, Dallas has averaged 116 rushing yards allowed per game, with 32/117/1 handed over to the Redskins last week. On balance, this is a mediocre unit playing so-so football heading into the 2nd half of the season.

Even though the Cowboys are run of the mill, they represent a tough matchup for the struggling Cardinal's rushing attack. Advantage, Dallas.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Edgerrin James managed to put the ball in the end-zone last week, with 9/15/1 rushing to his credit, but if it weren't for the TD, his outing would have been very frustrating for James owners. Over the past 3 games, James hasn't caught a pass, and he hasn't rushed for more than 100 yards in a game since week 2. As the offense adjusts to Warner under center, James has become less valuable as a fantasy RB than earlier this season.

The Lions' rush D hasn't been among the league's top units this season, averaging 101.1 rushing yards allowed per game (12th in the NFL), with 9 rushing TDs given up over the past 8 games. Detroit did stuff the Broncos' banged-up rushing attack last week (several offensive linemen are on IR, and Travis Henry was nursing sore ribs and hurt his hip during the game), holding them to 16/47/0 - it was their second straight game limiting the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing. Lately, Detroit has been pretty stingy in the rushing department after starting out the year soft.

James hasn't been at this best during the past few weeks, and comes into this game stone-cold. The Lions started out the season on the wrong foot, but are coming on strong as the year goes past - on balance, this looks like a tough matchup for the Cardinals' stable.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

The first time these teams faced off, during week six, Tim Hightower was the best fantasy option among the stable of backs - he combined 13/32/1 rushing with 4/26/0 receiving to help lead the Cardinals to 26/62/1 rushing as a team. Chris Wells chipped in 12/29/0 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving to the effort.

Over the past four weeks, Tim Hightower is the 17th-best fantasy back in the land (PPR format), with 40/157/3 rushing and 15/105/0 receiving to his credit, while Wells has managed 47/215/1 rushing and 4/17/0 receiving during that same time frame (40th-ranked fantasy back). Both performed well vs Chicago in week nine, with 15/77/0 rushing and 1/11/0 receiving for Hightower, vs. 13/72/0 rushing for Wells - as a team, the Cardinals gained 31/182/0 rushing vs. the Bears.

Seattle has only allowed 289 yards rushing in their last three games (four weeks), but they've been generous of late with 21/114/0 handed over to the Lions last week and 29/113/1 given up to Dallas the previous week. To date, the Seahawks rank 11th in the NFL averaging 102.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores handed over so far. They are respectable but not overpowering in this phase of the game.

The Cardinals' backfield is starting to gain momentum, and they enjoy home field advantage this week. However, the above-average Seattle defensive front isn't going to lay down for their divisional rivals. This is a tough matchup for Hightower and Wells.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Before the Cardinals' Week Nine bye, Chris Johnson ripped off 30/109/0 rushing at Cleveland, but he lost two fumbles during the contest and failed to score - a ding to his fantasy value in leagues that penalize for turnovers. However, entering Week 10 he remains the clear lead back, with David Johnson (1/4/0 rushing with 2/44/0 receiving) and Andre Ellington (3/0/0 rushing at Cleveland) fighting for scraps from the table set for Chris Johnson.

The Seattle rush D also comes into this game off a bye week of rest - they average 98.5 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given up to date. Dallas managed 30/129/0 rushing against the Seahawks in Week Eight - Santa Clara had 15/61/0 rushing on the Week Seven Thursday night game. Of late the Seahawks have been tough to score on.

Johnson and Johnson have a tough matchup ahead in this key divisional showdown.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Back in week two, the Falcons prevailed over Carolina 28-20 - Michael Turner led the team in rushing with 28/105/1 (with 1/5/0 receiving), while Jason Snelling gained 6/37/0 rushing and 1/10/1 receiving. Jerious Norwood had a mere 1/6/0 before injuring his hip flexor (he's been out of action since incurring the injury).

Over the past four weeks, Turner has earned back his nickname 'Burner' with 69/397/5 rushing and 4/30/0 receiving - he had 20/151/1 rushing vs. New Orleans two weeks ago with a long run of 37 yards and followed up with 18/166/2 rushing (2/14/0 receiving) vs. Washington with a long of 58 yards. He is the centerpiece of the Atlanta rushing attack entering week ten, as Jerious Norwood continues to struggle with a sore hip and Jason Snelling is also sidelined due to injury right now.

Carolina's defensive front limited the Saints' stable of backs to 23/84/1 rushing last week (3.7 yards per carry), and they also held Arizona under 100 yards rushing two weeks ago (17/94/1 rushing, a 5.5 yards per carry average). They aren't shutting opponents down right now, but they aren't spinning like turnstiles at the moment, either. Over the past four weeks, Carolina has hadned over 355 yards rushing in four games (88.75 yards per contest on average), which is a vast improvement over their season mark of 122.1 rushing yards allowed per game - the Panthers' D has tightened up considerably during the second quarter of the season.

Turner is hot right now, but divisional rivalries are always a tough fight, and this one is going down in Charlotte - advantage, Carolina.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The Ravens are tied for next-to-last in the NFL with 1 rushing score this season (only the Cardinals are worse, with 0), and they are 24th in the NFL averaging 3.6 yards per carry as a unit. This week, the Kyle Boller era is set to resume on Sunday. Jamal Lewis (145/436/1 rushing and 12/70/1 receiving this season, 35th ranked fantasy RB in FP per game this year) and Chester Taylor (48/241/0 rushing and 26/181/1 receiving; 44th ranked fantasy RB this year) can expect to see the box loaded with 8-9 defenders constantly this weekend as the Jaguars dare the Ravens to beat them by passing the football.

The Jaguars rank 24th in the NFL this season allowing an average of 126.6 rushing yards per game, but have coughed up only 3 rushing scores to date. Over the past 3 weeks, they have been made of sterner stuff, with only 96 yards per game allowed in this phase (3 games), including last week's total of 23/88/1 surrendered to the Texans. The Jaguars' defense is stiffening as they start the second-half run to the playoffs.

Look for the Ravens to have their hands full on Sunday down in Jacksonville with 8 to 9 defenders in the box (and several penetrating into the backfield) regularly.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Ray Rice led the Ravens in rushing (22/83/0) and receiving (7/97/0) vs. Miami in week nine - he's had at least seven receptions in two out of his last three games (week six, at New England - 28/88/0 rushing with 8/38/0 receiving). The only stain on his season this year is the lack of scoring plays (he's scored two TDs, both vs. Denver in week five, so far). Rice's side-kick Willis McGahee was second on the team in rushing last week with 6/24/0 on the ground, and he added another TD to his tally with 3/42/1 receiving. Rice and McGahee are a powerful 1-2 combination, friends.

The Falcons' rush D is among the league's top units this year, with just three rushing TDs allowed over eight games, and an average of 95.9 yards allowed per contest in this phase (sixth in the NFL, currently). Tampa Bay was held to 27/96/0 rushing last week - Cincinnati managed 21/84/0 rushing back in week seven. The Falcons' rush D is looking good as of mid-November, folks.

Rice and McGahee will be in a hostile stadium on Thursday night, and they face a hard-nosed defensive front as well - advantage, Atlanta.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Willis McGahee continues to grow stronger as the weeks go by. He had 31/136/0 against an emotional Patriot team two weeks ago (when Tedy Bruschi returned to the defensive lineup), and has amassed 47/186/0 rushing and 5/57/0 receiving during the past 3 weeks (2 games) - the only thing holding him back from the top 10 at his position is the lack of TDs right now. With 185/790/4 rushing and 16/117/0 receiving this season, he's the 9th-ranked fantasy RB in the land. The Bills average 4.1 yards per carry this season - the OL is playing adequately in support of McGahee.

K.C. held the Raiders to 26/101/0 rushing last week in their hard-fought victory. They average 92.6 rushing yards allowed per game over the last 3 weeks (3 games), and are the league's 8th ranked rush D this season averaging 94.6 rushing yards allowed per contest. The Chief's defensive front is a top-ten unit and has been consistently tough to score on, too (only 4 rushing scores allowed to date).

Two top units clash in this matchup - this looks like a tough matchup for the Bills.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Buffalo struggled against the Jets last week, gaining just 17/30/0 on the ground during the game. Marshawn Lynch posted 9/16/0 rushing and 3/52/0 receiving during the game, with 7/15/0 rushing and 3/25/0 receiving for Fred Jackson in the change of pace role. Over the past 3 weeks, Lynch has gained 41/147/2 rushing and 12/108/0 receiving to land at #19 among all fantasy RBs in points per game during that time span. Jackson has compiled 26/89/0 rushing and 7/54/0 receiving during that same time span.

The Patriots coughed up a mere 21/47/0 rushing to Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes last week - they have allowed 243 rushing yards over the past 3 weeks (an average of 81 yards per game), while pacing 105 yards allowed per game since the beginning of the season (4 rushing TDs given up to date). The Patriots' defensive front is playing well entering the 2nd half of the season, friends.

Lynch enters this game stone cold, while the Patriots' defenders are on a hot streak - advantage, New England.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Buffalo had a hard time running the football at Houston (as have most teams this year) - C.J. Spiller led the team last week with 6/39/0 rushing (and added 5/63/0 receiving to go over 100 yards combined), while Fred Jackson managed 6/21/0 rushing and 5/14/0 receiving during the game. Over the past three games, the tandem have evenly split carries with Spiller handling 30/197/1 rushing (with 15/117/0 receiving) vs. Jackson's 31/145/1 rushing and 18/93/1 receiving. This is a one-two combination entering the second half of the NFL season. Back in week four, the Bills struggled to run the ball on New England (a 28-52 loss) - Spiller led the team that day with 8/33/0 rushing (2/5/0 receiving) and Jackson managed 13/29/0 rushing with 3/50/0 receiving.

The Patriots' rush D averages 88.6 yards allowed per game (tied for seventh in the NFL) with just three rushing TDs given out to date - they are just slightly more giving than the Texans, but not much. St. Louis managed 23/107/0 rushing at London two weeks ago, while the Jets posted 36/106/1 back in week seven.

The Bills' offense is slumping, and the hard-nosed Patriots won't let them get off the mat this week - advantage, New England.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

This Thursday Night Football game is the first matchup between these divisional rivals, with added spice this year as ex-Jet head coach Rex Ryan is now the head coach of Buffalo.

Buffalo has seen good production from LeSean McCoy of late, with 34/180/1 rushing and 4/43/0 receiving over his last two games, but he banged up a shoulder last week (16/112/1 rushing with 2/7/0 receiving vs. Miami) and may have to miss this contest. Luckily, Karlos Williams returned with a bang in Week Nine after recovering from a concussion, posting 9/110/2 in relief of McCoy - he stands ready to run the football for Buffalo if McCoy can't go. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the News as the weekend approaches to see what the mix at running back may look like for the Bills.

The Jets' rush D is ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed and TDs given up (80.6 yards per game, just two rushing scores handed out). They limited Jacksonville to 19/98/0 rushing last week, and Oakland managed 25/118/0 rushing vs. the Jets two games ago.

This is a tough matchup for the Bills even though they have two great runners in their stable.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

DeAngelo Williams has been working his way out of the doghouse in Carolina - last week, he posted a non-trivial 6/37/1 rushing playing second fiddle to Jonathan Stewart's 10/51/0 rushing with 1/6/0 receiving. Cam Newton also chipped in at Washington, rushing for 8/37/1 during the 21-13 victory. All told, the Panthers posted 27/129/2 rushing at Washington - they seem to be righting the ship in this phase of the game as of week 10.

The Broncos' rush D averages 104.1 yards allowed per game (12th in the NFL), with five rushing scores given away to date. Cincinnati managed 25/91/1 rushing vs Denver last week - New Orleans had 17/51/0 rushing at Denver two weeks ago. Right now, Denver's defensive front is playing like a top-ten rush defense.

Williams, Stewart and Newton did well in week nine, but they've got an uphill battle ahead on Sunday. Advantage, Denver.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

While the real Carolina Panthers are on a roll in the NFC South, their running backs are making fantasy owners tear their hair out. Thanks to Mike Tolbert (6/24/1 rushing with 3/13/0 receiving last week) and Cam Newton (5/22/1 rushing last week) siphoning off the TDs from Jonathan Stewart (9/43/0 rushing with 3/22/0 receiving vs. Atlanta) and DeAngelo Williams (13/42/0 rushing with 2/12/0 receiving lsat week), we've got a four-headed monster in play here now that Stewart has returned to split touches with Williams. The end result is that none of the Carolina backs make dominant fantasy plays, unless you are in a basic-scoring (TDs only) league - then Mike Tolbert is the guy to own.

The 49ers' rush D has held their last two opponents under 100 yards rushing (25/90/0 for Jacksonville, 13/70/0 for Tennessee) - to date, the 49ers average 104.6 yards rushing allowed per game (12th in the NFL) with seven rushing scores surrendered, but of late they've played like a top-five defensive front.

This is a tough matchup for the many-faceted Carolina attack.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

DeAngelo Williams was added back into the running back mix for Carolina last week, which proved to be a minus for fantasy owners of Williams (8/20/0 rushing with 1/30/0 receiving) and Jonathan Stewart (8/46/0 rushing). We're back to the 1A/1B rushing stable which means that neither Williams or Stewart excels in fantasy terms.

The Eagles' rush D is ranked 20th in the NFL averaging 116.9 yards allowed per game, but they have handed over a stingy three rushing scores all year. Houston managed 28/118/0 rushing vs. Philadelphia last week; Arizona had 23/71/1 rushing against the Eagles two weeks ago.

Williams and Stewart may rack up yards on Sunday (collectively), but TDs may be rare to come by - advantage, Philadelphia.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Chicago exploited the weak Detroit defensive front last week to the tune of 30/154/2 rushing - Matt Forte led the team with 22/126/0 on the ground (1/5/0 receiving), but Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman each punched in a rushing TD to get the glory. In the end, the Bears prevailed 27-23. Forte remains a focal point of the offense, and may see more work as Rex Grossman takes over under center for the next 3-4 games with Orton out due to a high ankle sprain.

The Titans field the league's 10th ranked rush D, averaging 91.6 yards allowed per game, but they have coughed up 7 rushing TDs to date. Green Bay managed 24/102/0 on the ground vs. Tennessee last week in an OT loss - Tennessee has handed over 254 rushing yards in the last 3 contests (84.6 per game). They are a hard nosed bunch, folks.

The Bears have a decent offense, but the unit is in turmoil due to the loss of their starting QB. Against the tough Titans, this game is going to be a hard fight for Forte and company.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Chicago blew out Tennessee 51-20 last week (their defense and special teams dominated the Titans with a blocked punt for a TD and an pick-six interception as well) - Matt Forte was outstanding during the contest with 12/103/1 rushing and 2/45/0 receiving to his credit. Armando Allen (10/32/0) and Michael Bush (10/16/0 rushing and 1/17/0 receiving) also got into the action with double-digit carries as the Bears piled up 36/160/1 rushing during the game. This unit is on a roll as of the season's mid-point.

The Texans' rush D specializes in shutting down opposing rushers - they have yet to allow a rushing score this year, while averaging 82.4 yards rushing allowed per game (second in the NFL). Buffalo managed 16/78/0 rushing last week - Baltimore had 12/55/0 on the ground vs. Houston back in week seven. These guys are tough.

Forte is looking good, but he's got a tough matchup ahead on Sunday.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

These teams first clashed in week four at Detroit - Matt Forte was the only running back to carry the football during the contest, with 14/95/1 rushing and 5/22/0 receiving to his credit. He's been the focal point of this rushing attack all season long, with 139/660/7 rushing and 41/314/0 receiving to date (second-best fantasy running back in PPR leagues). Since week four, Forte has been a fantasy staple for his owners. Last week, with regular starting quarterback Jay Cutler sidelined, Forte starred for the Bears with 24/125/1 rushing and 5/54/0 receiving, while Michael Bush chipped in 7/25/0 rushing and 1/15/0 receiving to the team effort at Green Bay (a 27-20 win for the Bears).

The Lions' rush D ranks 14th in the NFL averaging 108.5 rushing yards allowed per game, with five TDs allowed in this phase to date. Dallas managed 26/62/0 rushing back in Week eight, while Cincinnati had 18/57/0 rushing the game prior. Detroit's front seven has been playing very well in this phase of the game during the middle of the NFL schedule.

Forte will get lots of opportunities to touch the football, but against the improving Lions' defensive front this looks like a tough matchup for the Bears' backs.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

With Matt Forte sidelined due to his injured knee, Jeremy Langford got the chance to showcase his skills on national T.V., and responded with a superb 18/72/1 rushing with 3/70/0 receiving in his start. The Bears' rushing attack is in good hands while Forte heals up.

The Rams' vaunted D coughed up 36/160/1 rushing to Minnesota last week, after allowing just 21/38/0 to a battered 49ers squad two weeks ago. To date, the Rams are ranked 13th in the NFL averaging 104.0 yards rushing per game, with just five rushing scores handed over to date.

The Bears have a solid option in Langford, but he has a tough matchup against a Rams' club looking to rebound from last week's loss.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Rudi Johnson ran tough against the Ravens, with 18/77/1 on the ground and 1/2/0 receiving last week. He's posted 56/224/2 rushing and 4/14/0 receiving during the last 3 games, to rank 16th among fantasy RBs in points per game during that time frame. He's playing fairly well considering the team's offensive slow-down over the past few weeks.

The Chargers are 4th in the NFL vs. the rush, averaging 85.3 yards allowed per game, with 4 rushing scores given up to date. Last week, the Browns could only manage 28/89/0 against these guys - it's hard to do much of anything against the Chargers, even with Shawn Merriman out on suspension and Shaun Phillips struggling with a calf injury. The team has reloaded with backups Carlos Polk and Steven Cooper and done just fine, thank you.

Cedric Benson was effective vs. the Steelers back in week three, with 16/76/1 rushing and 1/5/0 receiving (the Bengals posted a rare 100-yard rushing game vs. the Steelers, with 19/100/1 as a team). Since September, Benson has been a force for the Bengals, gaining 87/350/3 rushing and 2/1/0 receiving over the past four weeks (11th-best fantasy RB in points per game in the PPR format), with 34/117/1 rushing against the Ravens last week. Benson is a difference maker for this squad, friends.

The Steelers bring the league's #1 rush defense to this divisional matchup - they average a miniscule 70.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with just two rushing TDs given up over eight games. The Broncos were stuffed by the Steelers on Monday night - they managed just 14/27/0 rushing as a team. During week seven, even the mighty Adrian Peterson and the rest of the Vikings could only manage 23/89/1 rushing vs. Pittsburgh. They are extremely hard-nosed in this phase of the game, friends.

Benson and company have a tough fight on their hands when they visit the Steeler Nation in Heinz Field on Sunday.

Cedric Benson returned to the fold at Tennessee, and posted a very grind-it-out total of 20/78/0 rushing during the contest. Bernard Scott handled 6/24/0 rushing with one target for zero receptions last week, and Brian Leonard had 1/3/0 rushing and two targets for zero receptions. With Benson around, the Bengals are content to go with four-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust in this phase of the game.

The Steelers lost their second matchup with the Ravens last week (getting swept by Baltimore), and now they have their first game against their other divisional rivals, the Bengals, who are above the Steelers in the standings at 6-2. Baltimore managed 27/67/1 rushing at Pittsburgh last week; New England was held to 12/43/0 rushing in their trip to Heinz Field. To date, the Steelers are ranked sixth in the NFL allowing an average of 95.6 yards rushing per game, with six rushing scores handed over - but with the return of NT Casey Hampton and OLB James Harrison over the past couple of weeks, the defensive front has solidified significantly as we enter the second half of the season.

The Bengals have a so-so runner at the helm in Benson, while the Steelers are getting back to top form as a rush D lately - advantage, Pittsburgh.

Giovani Bernard went over 100 yards combined at Miami, with 9/79/2 rushing and 4/25/0 receiving, while BenJarvus Green-Ellis was the work-horse back with 21/72/0 on the ground. Bernard is going to get his chances for big plays, but it appears the Bengals plan on wearing down opposing defenses with heavy doses of Green-Ellis' grind-it-out style each week, too.

The Ravens' rush defense has been stubborn in the red zone all year long, with a mere one rushing score allowed to date, and they are currently ranked eighth in the NFL averaging 100.4 yards rushing allowed per contest. Cleveland had 28/73/0 rushing last week, while Pittsburgh managed 29/141/0 rushing vs. the Ravens two games ago.

Bernard is coming on strong, but it looks like neither he nor Green-Ellis will visit the end-zone much (if at all) when the Bengals roll into the Ravens' house this weekend.

Reuben Droughns ground out a big chunk of yards again last week, with 20/116/0 rushing and 4/73/0 receiving, but he still hasn't cracked the end-zone this season. The Browns finally did rush for a TD, though, as backup Jason Wright punched in the first rushing score of the year for Cleveland. Droughns is on pace for 1300 yards rushing (1600+ combined) this season, with 145/646/0 rushing and 21/184/0 receiving to date, but his lack of TDs is limiting his fantasy potential - he's the 28th ranked fantasy RB in the land through 8 games this year.

This week, he'll be challenged by the stubborn Steelers' defensive front, which averages only 84.6 rushing yards allowed per game this season (6 rushing scores given up to date). Over the past 3 weeks, Pittsburgh has averaged 76 rushing yards allowed per game (3 games), including Green Bay's total of 29/65/1 last week. These guys are tough.

Droughns and company will have a hard time denting the Steelers' defensive front at Heinz Field this week.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Reuben Droughns has been up and down over the past 3 weeks, with 64/194/1 rushing and 7/34/0 receiving during that time frame - last week, he posted an anemic 19/36/0 rushing with 1/0/0 receiving vs. the Chargers' top-5 defensive front. He hasn't been a top fantasy producer during 2006.

This week, the Falcons welcome Droughns to the Georgia Dome, sporting the league's 12th ranked rush D (averaging 98.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with 5 rushing TDs given up to date). They were trampled by Kevin Jones and the Lions last week, though, handing over 27/127/2 to the plucky Detroit team. Over the past 3 weeks, the Falcons average 85 rushing yards allowed per play - the Lions game looks like an outlier and not the beginning of a trend.

The Browns' rushing attack is sleepy, while the Falcons' rush D has become an above-average unit during the first half of the season. Advantage, Atlanta.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Jamal Lewis didn't find much room to roam on Sunday, with 20/37 rushing, but his fantasy owners didn't complain as he stuffed 4 TDs into the end-zone and also snagged 4/67/0 receiving to top 100 yards combined during the afternoon. It was only his second game over 100 yards combined this season - nevertheless it was a big boost to the fantasy owners who started him last week. The Browns are tied at 11th in the NFL with 4.3 yards per carry as their average - they have been running the ball strongly most of the time.

Pittsburgh dismantled the Ravens 38-7 on Monday Night Football, allowing 14/64/1 to their divisional rivals during the game. They currently rank 4th in the league averaging 76 yards rushing allowed per game, with only 2 rushing scores given up to date. These guys are very tough rush defenders, friends.

Lewis blew up for a lot of points last week, but he'll have a hard time getting anywhere close to that level of production this week at Heinz Field.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Peyton Hillis proclaimed his formerly-sore quadriceps 100% healed after the week nine game (in which he rushed for a career-best 29/184/2 with 3/36/0 receiving). 'If you want to successful in life and in this league, you have to learn to let the mistakes fall behind you and run with the curves,' Hillis said after the game. 'It's the only thing you can do. We rebounded well today.' (a 34-14 upset of New England). Hillis has scored seven rushing TDs in eight games to date, and checks in at fourth among all fantasy RBs over the past four weeks with 57/294/3 rushing and 10/86/0 receiving to his credit. He's a fantasy stud this year.

The Jets' rush D is currently fourth in the NFL, averaging just 87.4 yards allowed per game, with only three rushing TDs given up to date. Detroit's stable of backs managed 28/78/1 rushing in their OT loss to the Jets last week, while Green Bay ground out 26/81/0 two weeks ago. These guys are uber-tough run defenders, folks.

Hillis is on a roll this year, but he's got some tough customers rolling into Cleveland Browns Stadium this week.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Dallas boasts the league's eighth-ranked rushing attack this year, averaging 138.6 yards per game, with nine rushing TDs scored to date. However, because they utilize an intensive committee approach down in Big D, the individual players are less-than-desirable fantasy commodities: Marion Barber is the best of the lot over the last four weeks, with 40/150/1 rushing and 5/19/0 receiving (34th-ranked fantasy RB in points per game in the PPR format); Felix Jones is 57th during that time span with 20/86/0 rushing and 3/36/0 receiving, while Tashard Choice is 62nd with 7/24/1 rushing and 2/31/0 receiving. They're a pretty ho-hum lot of running backs over the second quarter of the season, folks.

The Packers have been fairly stubborn defenders vs. opposing rushers during the second quarter of the season, with 328 yards allowed in the last four games (82 yards per contest, on average) - Green Bay is currently ninth in the NFL averaging 97.1 rushing yards allowed per game for the whole season, with just three rushing TDs surrendered in eight games. Tampa Bay was limited to 25/81/0 last week, while Minnesota managed 32/111/1 two weeks ago.

The Cowboys have a good attack overall, but the parts of the sum are less impressive to fantasy owners. Meanwhile, the Packers are improving in this phase of the game of late (and they were already pretty good early this year). This looks like a tough matchup for the visiting Cowboys.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Denver has become a pass-first team during 2010. They attempted 17 rushes for 59 yards and one (Tim Tebow) TD vs. San Francisco in London; and had 17/75/0 rushing vs. 29 passes at home in the disaster vs. Oakland back in week seven. Knowshon Moreno has posted 12/48/0 rushing (vs. New York Jets); 14/53/0 rushing with 3/37/2 receiving (vs. Oakland); and 11/40/0 rushing with 4/19/0 receiving at London since returning to the Bronco's lineup in week six. Aside from his two TD receptions vs. Oakland, Moreno has been a disappointing fantasy start in two of his recent three games. Correll Buckhalter did chip in 4/23/0 receiving at London, but hasn't had much of an impact in recent weeks.

The Chiefs dropped an AFC West game to Oakland last week, 20-23 in OT - they did a good job containing the Raiders' backs, though, keeping Darren McFadden and company to 26/112/0 rushing. Buffalo posted 33/137/0 rushing vs. K. C. two weeks ago - they are slipping from their ninth-ranked pace of 98.4 rushing yards allowed per game on average this year. K.C. has given up five rushing TDs this year.

The Bronco's backs are sub-par, while the Chiefs' rush D has slipped somewhat from their top-ten pace. This looks like a tough challenge for the Broncos none-the-less.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Back in Week Two, these teams clashed with a narrow 31-24 win recorded by Denver on the strength of a fumble recovery returned for a TD by cornerback Bradley Roby at 0:27 left in the fourth quarter. Denver managed 22/61/0 rushing as a team in that game, led by Ronnie Hillman (9/34/0 rushing), with C.J. Anderson managing 12/27/0 rushing with 1/2/0 receiving on the day. Not much fantasy juice was to be had in this phase of the game during Week Two (and that has been the story most of the season). After a brief period of hope, the Denver rushing attack plunged back into a fantasy football black hole last week, with a crushing 7/1/0 rushing for Ronnie Hillman and a disappointing 7/34/0 rushing with 1/4/0 receiving for C.J. Anderson. Yikes! 14/35/0 is just awful for a team total in both fantasy and real-world terms.

The Chiefs crushed Detroit 45-10 before their Week Nine bye - Detroit had 14/81/0 rushing in that contest. Kansas City is 11th in the NFL averaging 100.6 yards rushing allowed per game, with a stingy four rushing scores given out over eight games.

This is a tough matchup for the punch-less Denver rushers.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

The Lions ran the ball well the last time they saw the Vikings, with 34/129/0 rushing as a team - the effort was led by Kevin Smith who piled up 24/83/0 rushing (with 2/10/0 receiving as well). Calvin Johnson was second on the team with 2/16/0 rushing that day. Since the early-season contest with Minnesota, the Lions have muddled through to a 1-7 record, with rookie QB Matthew Stafford in and out of the lineup (due to knee-cap injury in the early mid-season). Kevin Smith has been a constant presence at RB, though, with 13/67/0 rushing and 2/9/0 receiving last week vs. Seattle and 44/173/0 rusing with 6/58/0 receiving over the past four weeks (three games). In fantasy terms, he's the 29th-best option in the PPR format during the four week time frame.

The Vikings' rush D is currently ranked sixth in the NFL averaging 94.8 yards allowed per game, with just two rushing TDs handed over through eight games. Green Bay managed 19/90/0 vs. the Vikings in week eight; Pittsburgh had 20/106/0 to show for their efforts in week seven. Though the Vikings aren't totally shutting down opposing backs this year, they do severely curtail most backs' fantasy potential from week to week.

Smith is a talented player, but he can't do the job alone. This is a tough matchup for the Lions, who'll travel to the hotile Metrodome on Sunday.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

These teams clashed back in week five, with Detroit winning 24-13. That day, Jahvid Best crushed the Bears' defense with 12/163/1 rushing and 4/9/0 receiving. All told, Detroit posted 20/181/1 as a team vs. Chicago five weeks ago.

However, since then Best has been sidelined with his second concussion of the year, and the early word this week is that Best has not been cleared to return to practice as of Tuesday, November eighth, and he is expected to miss his third straight game on Sunday. While he hasn't officially been ruled out, the Lions signed veteran Kevin Smith last week which is an indication that we may not see Best anytime soon.

Speaking of Smith, he was re-signed by the Lions (he was released earlier this year) and is familiar with the team's system. He appeared in six games for the Lions last year with 33/125/0 rushing and 11/123/0 receiving to his credit. While Smith gets back into game shape, the Lions will likely lean on Maurice Morris (13/58/1 rushing at Denver, with 1/7/0 receiving) and Keiland Williams (11/25/0 rushing with 1/5/0 receiving) to carry the load for them. Over the past three weeks, Morris has posted 27/128/1 rushing with eight targets for 4/28/0 receiving, while Williams has seen 20/69/0 rushing and the one reception for five yards.

The Bears' rush D contained LeSean McCoy, Mike Vick and company to 23/119/2 rushing last week, while Tampa Bay eked out 11/30/0 rushing vs. Chicago back in week seven (but they were without their #1 RB LeGarrette Blount, and their #2 back, Earnest Graham, blew out an Achilles tendon early in the game). To date, the Bears are ranked 11th in the NFL averaging 110 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing TDs given up over eight games.

The Lions' backups present a credible threat to run, but they have to face the stout Bears and their NFC-North-partisans in Soldier Field this week - advantage, Chicago.

Weather: This game is to be played indoors at Ford Field - weather won't be an issue for either team.

Tony Fisher has a nasty rib injury sidelining him right now - he described the possible consequences if he were to play with the injury earlier this week: "Punctured lungs. Blood in the lungs. Exposing my heart. There's major arteries and major organs up there. Just due to how severe everything is that could happen, it was something that you really don't want to risk."

When ReShard Lee fumbled his way out of the lineup early in the game last week, the new Nigerian Nightmare, Samkon Gado, got his chance vs. the Steelers. He put his head down and ran hard, accumulating 26/62/1 against a hard-nosed defensive front. We figure Gado will get another chance to show what he can do this week - the Packers don't really have any other options at this juncture. Said Green Bay running backs coach Edgar Bennett of coaching Gado "In a way it's actually been OK because it's a challenge, and because you actually get to teach." Gado showed up on Tuesday, the Packers' day off, for extra work in the film room.

The Falcons were giving to the Dolphins' stable last week, allowing 25/105/1 to Miami. They have been up and down in this phase recently, with 142 rushing yards given up in their last 2 games (3 weeks of action) - the team ranks 18th in the NFL this season vs. the rush, averaging 117.9 yards allowed per game, with 8 rushing scores surrendered to date. The Falcons are not fielding a dominant defensive front this season.

Gado is very young and inexperienced, but he has a great desire to excel and he'll get opportunities to handle the ball - that's what it really comes down to, opportunity. Atlanta won't make it easy for him, though - this one looks like a tough challenge for the youngster, as he'll be in a hostile venue this week.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Ahman Green has returned to top form in recent weeks, with 62/346/3 rushing and 3/45/0 receiving to his credit over the past 3 weeks (6th best fantasy RB in the land) - last week, he ripped off 23/122/0 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving vs. the Bills (Green Bay rushed for 30/147/0 as a team). With the receiving corps battered by injuries again this year, the team needs to lean on Green and he's responded with great play.

The Vikings lost a snoozer to the 49ers last week, 9-3, but limited Frank Gore and friends to 26/42/0 rushing during the contest - Minnesota is currently #1 in the NFL vs. running backs, allowing an average of 69 yards per game with 4 rushing scores given up to date. That's pretty stout, folks. They have given up a total of 180 rushing yards during their last 3 games - 60 yards per contest, on average.

Green has been on fire but excelling in the Metrodome vs. the hard-nosed Vikings is going to be a tough fight for him.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Ryan Grant made a solid contribution to the Packers' offense last week, with 19/55/0 rushing and 4/37/0 receiving to his credit - it wasn't a stellar outing, but he was effective at least part of the time. Grant did sustain a minor concussion last week, but should be ready to go for this divisional clash, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. So far, Grant averages 4.0 yards per carry (47/186/0) and 5.8 yards per reception (12/70/0). We'll see if he can remain in the driver's seat ahead of Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson.

The Minnesota rush D is among the NFL's fiercest, averaging 70.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with only 3 rush TDs given up to date. LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 16/40/1 rushing last week (20/42/1 for the Chargers as a team). Minnesota is playing dominant rush D this year, as you can see.

Grant and company have a tough matchup to work with in front of the Lambeau faithful this week.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Ryan Grant did a credible job against the stout Titans' defense last week, with 20/86/0 rushing to his credit, while sidekick Brandon Jackson ran for 1/3/0 and snagged 4/30/0 receiving in his change-of-pace role. It was a lighter workload for Grant than we'd seen in weeks 6 and 7, but he still was a focal point of the offense. Back in week 1, Grant ground out 12/92/0 vs. the Vikes, and the Packers hit Minnesota for 27/139/1 as a team.

The Vikings have one of the best defensive fronts in pro football, averaging 69.6 rushing yards allowed per game, though they have coughed up 7 rush TDs to date. Houston could only manage 62 yards rushing and 0 TDs last week, though.

It is tough to run the ball effectively when Minnesota is your opponent, especially in the Metrodome - advantage, Vikings.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Ryan Grant has been pulling his weight in the last few weeks, with 21/96/1 rushing vs. Tampa Bay last week (the Packers piled up 32/170/2 rushing during the game as a team). Ahman Green is adding some 'pop' into the attack when he sees the ball, with 6/45/0 rushing last week and 1/10/0 receiving. Over the past four weeks, Grant is the 16th-best fantasy RB in points per game (PPR format), with 82/364/2 rushing and 7/41/0 receiving to his credit.

The Cowboys' defensive front has coughed up 292 rushing yards in their last three games (97.3 yards per contest on average), compared to their season mark of 103.0 yards allowed per game (12th in the NFL) that is a slight improvement over the near term. All year, the Cowboys have been stubborn at the goal line, with just three rushing TDs given up to date. Philadelphia managed 23/89/0 last week, while Seattle posted 22/79/0 rushing vs. Dallas two weeks ago.

Grant has been adequate during the second quarter of the season, but he faces a tough challenge when the guys from Dallas arrive in Lambeau field this week.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

The last time these teams faced off, Domanick Davis led the Texan's stampede with 28/98/1 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving - unfortunately for the Texans, he missed last week's game with inflammation in his injured ankle (he didn't practice at all last week). This week, keep an eye on his practice status later on Thursday/Friday - the team hopes to have him back in the lineup. In Davis' absence, Jonathan Wells carried the load with 13/56/1 rushing and 5/45/0
receiving vs. Jacksonville. Despite their problems pass-blocking, the OL does a decent job in this phase of the game - the team averages 4.2 yards per carry (12th in the NFL) to date.

Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), the Colts' defense has allowed an average of 83.5 rushing yards per game. They are currently 11th in the NFL this season averaging 99.3 rushing yards allowed per contest, but are tied for 1st with only 2 rushing scores given up. Last week, New England limped to 14/34/0 against this defensive front - the Colts are on top of their game coming into this divisional matchup.

Whoever totes the ball for the Texans this week will have a hard road ahead - the Colts are on a roll and they have home field advantage at their back.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The Texans surprised the Jaguars back in week 7, and trampled Jacksonville's usually stout front to the tune of 34/131/1. Wali Lundy led the charge that day, with 19/93/1 rushing and 4/15/0 receiving. Since then, Lundy has piled up 57/252/1 rushing and 12/64/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks. He's done more than either Ron Dayne or Samkon Gado could manage, but he's not a world-beater in fantasy terms.

The Jaguars' defenders come into this game smoking hot and looking for payback - they grounded the Eagles 2 weeks ago (13-6 victory) and followed that up by crushing Tennessee 37-7. The D has got their competitive fire back in a big way since the loss to the Texans. They rank 11th in the NFL vs. opposing rushers, with an average of 98.1 yards allowed per game, but have given up only 4 rushing scores to date. Tennessee compiled 32/108/0 against the Jags last week - they have gotten very stiff necked in recent weeks.

Lundy and company will be in Jacksonville's house this week, and it looks like they may be in for a long day. Advantage, Jacksonville.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Ben Tate's turf toe injury has kept him sidelined in recent weeks, so Arian Foster (60/238/5 rushing and 2/17/0 receiving over the past three weeks) has had to carry the bulk of the load for Houston of late - Justin Forsett (6/7/0 rushing last week) has been largely ineffective rushing the football while Tate is out - Foster ran up 24/111/1 on the Bills last week in his usual lead role.

The Bears' rush D averages 88.0 yards rushing allowed per game (sixth in the NFL) with two rushing scores given away so far this year. However, Tennessee managed 18/159/1 rushing last week (half the yards came on one 80-yard TD run by Chris Johnson during garbage time, though) - Carolina managed 36/119/0 rushing at Chicago two weeks ago. This unit has slipped somewhat to start November, but they remain a feared defensive front.

Foster is an elite back who should start every week he's healthy, but he does face a tougher-than-usual matchup in week 10.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The Texans should be well-rested for this game after a Week Nine bye - last time these guys played, Houston had just 23/56/0 rushing as a team. Alfred Blue led the club in rushing (14/39/0) and added 5/33/0 rushing for 72 total yards from scrimmage. Sidekick Chris Polk had 8/18/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving in a change-of-pace role. It's no wonder this offense has become pass-heavy.

The Bengals' rush D is ranked 14th in the NFL averaging 105.0 yards allowed per game, but have given out just three rushing scores to date (second-best in the NFL). They held Cleveland to 17/69/0 rushing last Thursday; Cincinnati allowed 19/116/0 rushing to the Steelers two games ago.

This is a tough matchup for the under-achieving Houston backs.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The bone bruise in Fred Taylor's ankle flared up again last week, sidelining the Jag's headliner and opening the door for RB/FB Greg Jones to show his stuff (again) - Jones responded with 7/27/1 on the day (he has 41/168/2 in his chances this year, a respectable 4.1 yards per carry). The team put up 27/98/2 rushing during the course of the game. "I don't know how he's going to respond. There wasn't a lot of swelling." coach Del Rio said in reference to Taylor's injury status on Tuesday. Keep an eye on Taylor's participation in practices later in the week - he has amassed 139/614/2 rushing and 10/59/0 receiving to date this season.

Baltimore's defense is missing heart-and-soul MLB Ray Lewis (thigh injury), and has been doing without DE Anthony Weaver for several weeks (he played on a limited basis vs. Cincy last week). The Bengals ground out 34/98/1 against the Ravens last week, a little less than the team's average of 114 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (3 games) - while still stiff-necked (the Ravens rank 10th in the NFL allowing an average of 99 rushing yards per game this year, with 5 scores allowed to date in this phase), they are not the elite, shut-down type corps we've seen in years past.

The Jaguars have a limping star, but his backups are respectable - meanwhile, the Raven's defense isn't what it used to be due to injury issues, and they are likely to be burdened with an ineffective offense again now that the Kyle Boller era is set to resume. It's still a pretty good defense against the rush though and we'll call this a tough matchup.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Maurice Jones-Drew is playing out of his mind since the Jaguars altered their play-calling to lock in a certain percentage of plays as definite running downs each week. He's the #1 fantasy RB over the past four weeks (PPR format), with 70/407/6 rushing and 9/78/0 receiving in three contests. He slashed St Louis for 33/133/3 rushing and 5/45/0 receiving back in week six; he smashed Tennessee for 8/177/2 rushing and 1/-4/0 receiving in week eight; and then he ground out 29/97/1 rushing with 3/37/0 receiving vs. the Jets last week. Start him if you've got him!

The Jets took last week off - during the four games prior to the bye week, the team allowed 464 rushing yards (116 per contest on average). The Jets are currently tied for 14th in the NFL with an average of 108.1 rushing yards allowed per game, but have only allowed four rushing TDs in eight games - neither of their last two opponents (Miami, 23/52/0 rushing; Oakland, 19/119/0 rushing) managed to punch in a TD.

Jones-Drew has been on fire of late, but he'll face a top-tier unit at the Meadowlands on Sunday - this is a tough matchup for the Jaguars.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Maurice Jones-drew found his walking shoes in week eight, posting 27/135/0 rushing and 2/13/0 receiving vs. Dallas. It had been four games since he went over 100 yards rushing, though he did post 16/47/0 rushing and 5/74/1 receiving at Kansas City during week seven to go over 100 yards combined. Lately, Jones-Drew has been contributing a lot of fantasy points to his happy owners.

The Texans' rush D is in the middle of the NFL herd, averaging 101.2 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores surrendered to date. However, neither San Diego (26/77/0 rushing last week) or Indianapolis (28/107/0) found the end-zone by rushing the football in the last two games. These guys aren't Steeler-caliber, but they are playing pretty well entering week 10.

Jones-Drew has turned up his intensity in recent weeks, but he'll have a tough fight on Sunday when the Texans roll into Everbank Field for a divisional showdown.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

T.J. Yeldon went over 100 yards combined at the Jets last week, with a respectable 14/64/0 rushing and 3/37/0 receiving to his credit. Through seven games played this season he is the 27th-ranked fantasy back in the land, with 115/470/1 rushing and 19/119/ receiving - his fantasy owners wish for more scoring opportunities, but they can't complain about his number of touches per game.

The Ravens' defense is ranked 10th in the NFL in this phase of the game, averaging 99.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up to date. Last week, they were on bye, so Baltimore should be well rested - over their last two games played, Baltimore allowed 26/81/0 rushing to the Chargers and allowed 28/150/1 to Chris Johnson and company.

This is a tough matchup for Yeldon and the Jaguars.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Larry Johnson has touched the ball almost 100 times in the last 3 weeks, with 94/459/6 rushing and 4/55/1 receiving - he's the 2nd best fantasy RB in the land during that stretch in points per game. One concern with his OL popped up during last week's game (Johnson had 27/172/1 rushing at the end of the game) when G Brian Waters suffered a right knee injury - keep an eye on his status as the week goes along as Waters is a key component of the K.C. OL. However, Johnson is so hot that we wouldn't consider sitting him regardless of the outcome with Waters and his knee.

Miami's rush D is respectable - they have given up only 2 rushing TDs all year long, while ranking 14th in the NFL vs. opposing backs in yards allowed (102.3). Last week, they stuck right to their season average surrendering 28/103/0 to the Bears' stable of Jones and Benson - Miami's defense is playing pretty well right now.

Johnson has a tougher-than-usual opponent in front of him, but given his explosive scoring abilities, don't let a tough matchup dissuade you from inserting this star in your lineup.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Somebody grew a brain in Kansas City last week, and Jamaal Charles was their featured running back again (12/39/0 rushing with 3/27/0 receiving). Despite the poor showing at San Diego, Charles absolutely deserves to be the lead back for the Chiefs as he is a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the football. Peyton Hillis managed 7/14/0 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving during the game, and was out-gained by Shaun Draughn (1/6/1 rushing with 2/21/0 receiving). Dexter McCluster also saw 4/17/0 rushing and 2/17/0 receiving as the Chiefs heavily employed their running back stable at San Diego. With so many cooks in the kitchen, nobody excelled in fantasy terms.

The Steelers are currently tied for seventh in the NFL averaging 88.6 yards rushing allowed per game, with five rushing scores surrendered to date. Most recently, the Giants put up 22/68/1 rushing vs. Pittsburgh. This is a complete defense, dominant in both phases of the game as of week 10.

Advantage, Pittsburgh.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Back in Week Two, these teams clashed with a narrow 31-24 win recorded by Denver on the strength of a fumble recovery returned for a TD by cornerback Bradley Roby at 0:27 left in the fourth quarter. Back then, K.C. had Jamaal Charles running for 21/125/1 with 4/2/0 receiving - nowadays Charles is on IR, so looking back won't tell us a bunch about the prospects for the Chiefs' backs here in Week 10.

The Chiefs' backs went into their bye week hot, posting a total of 32/206/4 rushing on the hapless Lions - Charcandrick West had 20/97/1 rushing and 4/25/0 receiving as the lead back, while Alex Smith (5/78/1), De'Anthony Thomas (1/10/1 rushing with 3/22/0 receiving) and Spencer Ware (2/12/1) also punched in TDs. Note that Knile Davis (4/9/0) did not score. He is the forgotten man in K.C. now.

The Denver rush D is ranked fifth in the NFL averaging 93.1 yards allowed per game, with just six rushing scores given out to date. They allowed 40/120/1 to the Colts last week; Green Bay was limited to 21/90/1 rushing two games ago. Of late, the Broncos have been a little more generous in the red zone than usual.

This is a tough matchup for the Chiefs' backs.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

The Dolphins piled up 18/116/0 rushing vs. the Giants before their bye week, led by Jesse Chatman's 16/79/0 rushing (3/21/0 receiving). Little-known Patrick Cobbs contributed 4/19/0 in a change-of-pace role during the game. They haven't won a game yet this year, but the running backs have been doing their job week in and week out.

The Buffalo rush D has steadily clamped down on the opposition as the weeks have gone by - over the last 5 games, only 2 contests have seen an opponent cross 100 yards rushing vs. Buffalo. Last week, they stood up the Bengals and limited Rudi Johnson and company to 17/28/0 as a team - the Bills' defense is on a roll entering the 2nd half of the season, folks.

Chatman and company did a credible job vs. the Giants, but they'll have their hands full when division-rival Buffalo comes calling at Dolphin Stadium.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Lamar Miller was forced out of last week's game due to a shoulder injury, after posting 11/49/1 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving, but he has practiced fully so far this week and looks set to be the lead back at Detroit on Sunday. He's amassed 106/518/5 rushing and 21/144/1 receiving so far this year, and is the clear lead back for the Dolphins entering the second half of the season. Damien Williams (11/28/0 rushing with 2/23/0 receiving last week) and Daniel Thomas (9/8/0 rushing and 2/14/0 receiving last week) are Miller's backups when he's healthy.

The Lions' rush D is ranked second in the NFL averaging 74.0 yards rushing per game, with four rushing scores handed out over the first half of the season. Atlanta managed 26/78/1 rushing two weeks ago, while New Orleans had 21/73/0 rushing at Detroit two games back. This is a consistently excellent defensive front, folks.

Advantage, Detroit.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Michael Bennett came back from the bench last week, with 18/106/0 rushing and 1/5/1 receiving after Mewelde Moore injured his wrist and was sidelined. Moore's status for this week is unclear as of Wednesday - keep an eye on his participation in practice later in the week. Also, realize that Bennett is a streaky player at best during recent years - he hasn't rushed for over 100 yards twice in a row since 2002. When healthy, though, he can contribute both rushing and receiving - in recent years, he's been a boom-or-bust type player: if you start him, you are rolling the dice, pure and simple.

The Giants rank among the top ten rushing defenses in the NFL this year, averaging 98.3 yards allowed per game on the ground (9th in the NFL) with 5 scores given up to date. They crushed the 49ers last week, bottling up Barlow and Gore (22/52/0) - over the past 3 weeks (3 games) they have averaged only 93.6 rushing yards allowed per contest. The Giants' rush D is playing very stubbornly heading into the second half of the year.

The Vikings' offense has been erratic in this phase of the game, and may be without Mewelde Moore and Moe Williams this week - Bennett has only carried the load for 1 week this year, so it's hard to say that the team has "found an answer" with him. We'll have a better feel for how "real" Bennett is this season after he faces the Giants' tough defensive front at Giants Stadium.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Chester Taylor did everything he could to help the Minnesota cause last week, leading the team in rushing (26/96/0) and receiving (8/45/0) but he couldn't find the end-zone and the team ended up dropping a 9-3 decision. His lead blocker, Tony Richardson, chipped in with 1/2/0 rushing and 3/33/0 receiving, but suffered a fractured right thumb during the game (he is not expected to miss any games due to the injury, and it won't require surgery according to the coaching staff). Taylor has posted 62/287/1 rushing and 15/91/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks, to rank 11th among fantasy RBs in points per game during that span. He's been a solid fantasy player for his franchises and looks to be in position to continue being a good option during the second half of the season.

Green Bay is currently 10th in the NFL vs. opposing backs, averaging 98 yards allowed per game with 7 rushing scores surrendered to date. They have averaged 91 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks, including last week's totals of 28/120/1 handed over to the Bills - Green Bay was knocked back on their heels last week.

Taylor has been making good things happen for his team, but the Packers won't be easy to push around this week - this looks like a tough matchup for Taylor and company.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Adrian Peterson set the NFL record for the most rushing in a single game last week (30/296/3, with 1/19/0 receiving), gaining the bulk of the total during the second half after being largely contained during the first 30 minutes of the game. Obviously, he's got the potential to explode every time he's on the field - he should be in your starting lineup based on his "boom" potential - he's been over 200 yards rushing twice this year, over 100 yards three times, and under 100 yards rushing three times - at the season's midpoint, he's amassed 158/1036/8 rushing and 12/206/1 receiving - a decent season for other backs.

The Packers are not pushovers in this phase of the game - they have held the opposition to 94 or less rushing yards in each of their most recent 4 games. Last week, the Chiefs could muster 22/61/1 against the Packers' defensive front - the Packers are currently 8th in the NFL vs. opposing rushers, allowing an average of 93.8 net yards per game, with only 3 rushing scores allowed all year.

Peterson had a record-breaking game last week, but he's got to face a hard-nosed divisional rival in Lambeau Field this week. That's a tough matchup this year, folks.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Adrian Peterson tore up the Packers for 24/175/1 rushing three weeks ago, as the Vikings scared the Packers at the Metrodome 27-33. It wasn't Peterson's fault that the Vikings lost the contest, as you can see. He was absolutely central in week eight's win over Carolina, too, leading the team in rushing (21/86/1) and receiving (5/76/1) - Peterson is a hot fantasy player entering week ten, friends.

The Packers' rush D is ranked eighth in the NFL averaging 100 yards allowed per game, with four rushing TDs given up so far this year. San Diego managed 21/85/1 rushing vs. the Packers last week, slightly less than usual for this bunch.

Peterson is on fire right now, while the Packers rebounded to form last Sunday but looked vulnerable to Peterson just two games ago. On balance, this looks like a tough matchup for Peterson - he has to play in Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football, after all.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Adrian Peterson led the charge at Seattle last week, with 17/182/2 rushing to his credit - over the past three games, has been over 100 yards rushing and scored at least one TD per game. He's a fantasy stud again - start him if you've got him. Peterson had over 100 yards at Detroit in week four (21/102/0 rushing and 4/20/0 receiving) - he knows how to be productive against the Lions.

The Lions' rush D averages 106.2 yards allowed per game (16th in the NFL), but they get stubborn at the goal line, with two rushing TDs allowed all year long. Jacksonville managed 20/64/0 rushing vs. Detroit last week - Seattle had 19/133/1 as a team two games ago.

Peterson is a must-start fantasy option as of November, but he's got a tougher-than-usual matchup in this game. However, given the horrid state of the passing game Peterson will likely be fed the ball early and often in this game.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Patriots' improvised rotation of backs, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk (currently) managed to lead the Patriots to 32/140/1 on the ground vs. Indianapolis (15/57/1 rushing with 1/8/0 receiving for Green-Ellis; 10/60/0 rushing with 5/38/0 receiving for Faulk). LaMont Jordan and Sammy Morris were both inactive last week due to their ongoing injury woes - we'll see if either or both participate in practice this week as the game draws nearer. Faulk has 27/170/0 rushing and 12/91/1 receiving over the past 3 weeks (27th fantasy back in points per game), while Green-Ellis has compiled 37/138/3 rushing with 1/8/0 receiving to land at 25th.

The Bills' rush D is half-decent, averaging under 100 yards allowed per game (98.9, 12th in the NFL), but they cough up a lot of rushing TDs (9 given away to date). Over the past 3 weeks, the Bills have only allowed 220 yards rushing (73.3 per contest, on average), with 25/96/1 handed over to the Jets last week. They are a good, but not great, unit at the midway point.

The Patriots have managed to scrape up a running game despite injury woes - at home they face tough matchup against the stingy Bills.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush had a bad game last week (15/32/1 rushing and 2/12/0 receiving for McAllister; 11/-5/0 rushing and 4/22/0 receiving for Bush on the day) - sometimes, the other side just crafts a superior game plan, and that's what happened last week. It happens. McAllister is still the 19th best fantasy RB in the land, with 111/487/5 rushing and 17/109/0 receiving, while Bush has 80/200/0 rushing and 47/318/0 receiving (41st fantasy RB in the land to date). That's a very respectable tandem of complementary backs, folks. They'll get back to playing well soon enough.

Pittsburgh isn't the most giving defensive front, though, ranking 9th in the NFL allowing 95.1 rushing yards per game, with 5 rushing scores surrendered to date. Last week, Denver posted 23/115/1 against them, but the bulk of the yards came on a long end-around by Javon Walker (1/72/1) - Mike Bell could only find 17/28/0 rushing the ball. The champs may be down, but their defense can still bring it in this phase of the game.

The Saints stumbled last week in this phase of the game - the Steelers aim to keep them off-balance when New Orleans visits Heinz Field on Sunday. Advantage, Pittsburgh.

Chris Ivory returned to the Saints' RB stable last week, and he made an immediate impact with 15/67/0 rushing (he led the team). Pierre Thomas ran for 8/66/1 with 4/25/0 receiving during his time on the field last week, and Darren Sproles busted a 35 yard gallop to bring his rushing total to 4/42/0 and added 5/57/1 receiving to the team effort last week. All told, the Saints posted 28/195/1 rushing during the contest. Even though Mark Ingram is currently sidelined due to a heel injury (he didn't practice last week), the Saints' running backs are doing a great job for their team. Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the news to check on Ingrams' practice participation later in the week - he is the 'X' factor in this committee's equation for week 10.

The Falcons' rush D crushed Indianapolis' Delone Carter (4/8/0 rushing last week), but were a little more giving to Donald Brown (16/70/0) - all told, the Colts managed 21/83/0 rushing vs. Atlanta. Detroit posted 20/104/0 rushing back in week seven - to date, the Falcons average under 100 yards allowed per game (96.5, seventh in the NFL), with six rushing scores allowed during eight contests. They are a strong, but not elite, unit as of week 10.

The Saints have a solid RB stable, but they face a good rush D at the defenses' house this week - advantage, Atlanta.

Mark Ingram has been a beast since returning to action, posting 30/100/2 rushing and 1/10/0 receiving at Carolina last week and 24/172/1 rushing with 1/3/0 receiving vs. Green Bay two weeks back. However, Khiry Robinson may get in the action with the Saints again this week, which would limit Ingrams' ceiling as the Saints love to spread the ball around among their running backs. Owners of Ingram and Robinson should monitor Footballguys.com's Players in the News as the weekend approaches to see if Ingram is back in a time share during Week 10.

The 49ers' rush D is ranked fifth in the NFL averaging 85.6 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up so far. St. Louis was held to 27/91/0 rushing last week; Denver posted 27/115/2 rushing two games ago.

This is a tough matchup for Ingram (and whoever else is healthy enough to play on Sunday).

Tiki Barber just keeps rolling along, with 17/115/1 rushing and 3/40/0 receiving last week (Brandon Jacobs contributed 7/19/0 rushing and 1/21/0 receiving to the effort last week). The TD was Barbers' first score in 204 touches this season, and his fantasy squads hope it is a sign of things to come (he punched it in from 16 yards out) - Jacobs has been handling the short-yardage situations this year. With 172/830/1 rushing and 32/282/0 receiving to date, Barber is the 9th best fantasy RB in points per game, while Jacobs ranks 40th with 58/277/4 rushing and 4/45/0 receiving. The Giants' rushing attack averages 4.7 yards per carry (5th in the NFL) - it's all good for the team in this phase of the game.

The Bears are the league's 7th ranked rush D in terms of yards allowed per game (91.9), but they are tied with Denver in rushing scores allowed this year, with but a single rushing TD given up to date. They get very stubborn in the red-zone. Last week, Miami piled up 35/161 rushing, but couldn't convert a TD. The bad news for Bears fans is that all-world LB Brian Urlacher suffered a sprained big toe last week and won't be 100% this weekend, although he has stated he'll play through the pain against the Giants. We'll see how long he can stay on the field once the showdown starts.

Barber and Jacobs are a top-shelf tandem, but the Bears are very stiff-necked in this phase of the game - this is a tough matchup for the Giants, even if Urlacher isn't 100%.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Brandon Jacobs dominated the Dolphins in London 2 weeks ago, with 23/131/0 rushing and 2/6/0 receiving during the contest. He's had a bye-week to rest up/heal, so hopefully he is back at 100% for this hard-hitting divisional rivalry.

The Cowboys have been solid vs. the run, with an average of 84.4 rushing yards allowed per game, including last week's total of 19/66/1 rushing vs. the offensive powerhouse of Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb. It isn't easy to put up big numbers vs. Dallas.

This is a tough matchup for the Giants.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Giants crushed the Cowboys last week 35-14, largely due to their powerful running back corps - Brandon Jacobs had 17/117/1 rushing and Derrick Ward contributed 12/63/1 as well, with 5/20/0 chipped in by Ahmad Bradshaw - Ward added 2/26/0 receiving to the pie. Right now, the Giants' tandem of Jacobs and Ward is playing as well as any unit in the league.

The Eagles limited the Seahawks' committee to 28/72/0 last week, and have averaged 81.5 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games). They are currently 8th in the NFL pacing 89 rushing yards allowed per game, with only 3 rushing TDs handed over in the first half of the season.

This is a gritty, nasty divisional rivalry and figures to be a tough struggle for both teams.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Giants seized control of the NFC East by upsetting the Patriots last week - they are now 6-2 with Dallas next closest at 4-4, though the Giants are currently just 1-1 in division and have a lot of NFC East games ahead in the next eight games. This clash between the NFC East-leading and NFC West-leading teams will likely have serious playoff implications when it comes to playoff seeding time in January - the 49ers are in command of the NFC West (though they've played and won just one divisional game, they are 7-1 while Seattle is next-closest at 2-6 on the season).

Brandon Jacobs did a solid job subbing for the injured Ahmad Bradshaw last week (mid-foot sprain or fracture, depending on who you believe), posting 18/72/1 rushing with 4/28/0 receiving to mark his first 100-yards combined effort of 2011. He's scored four TDs this year (three rushing, one receiving) as part of the platoon with Bradshaw. Danny Ware contributed 7/23/0 rushing with two targets for zero receptions as the change-of-pace back vs. New England last week. On Wednesday, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot injury) is getting better but has not been cleared to practice at this point. Coughlin would not say if the team has a timetable for when Bradshaw will be able to return, so it looks like Jacobs and Ware will be the 1-2 punch for New York again this week.

Teams can't do much vs. the #1 ranked San Francisco rush D, currently averaging 70.8 yards allowed per game (that has allowed zero rushing TDs through half the season), so most teams opt to pass the ball against the 49ers. Washington had 15/52/0 rushing as a team last week but threw the ball to running back Roy Helu 17 times (for 14/105/0 receiving). Cleveland eked out 23/66/0 rushing at San Francisco two weeks ago an threw eight passes to Chris Ogbonnaya (5/24/0). Obviously, some teams have concluded that a 'long hand-off' flare pass is more effective than running plays vs. the brick wall that is the 49ers' defensive front.

Jacobs faces a tough matchup in this phase of the game, but he may see several dump-off passes this week if the Giants follow up with a plan similar to Washington's against the 49ers' defensive scheme.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Andre Brown is set to return to action this week after coming off the IR/designated to return list - he said on Monday November 4 that 'The coaches just told me to be ready. They threw me some special plays out there. They want to get me back in football shape. They want to kind of ease me into this thing. That's what they plan on doing and we'll go from there.' Brown is widely expected to take over the lead rushing duties as Brandon Jacobs has struggled with a hamstring injury in recent weeks and Peyton Hillis (20/70/0 rushing and 3/15/0 receiving vs. Philadelphia two weeks ago) has been merely adequate as an emergency replacement for Jacobs while Brown was out. This is a messy situation - it might be worth monitoring for a week before inserting Brown in a lineup, but if you are desperate for a warm body at running back he'll get some touches this week, at the minimum. This is a boom-bust situation for fantasy owners.

The Oakland rush D ranks sixth in the NFL averaging 94.6 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores handed over to date. Philadelphia posted 24/128/0 rushing on this group last week, while Pittsburgh had 19/35/1 rushing two weeks ago. The Oakland rush D has swung wildly during the recent past.

On balance, this looks like a tough situation for the reshuffling Giants.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Andre Williams finally found pay dirt vs. the Colts, with 12/22/1 rushing and 1/24/0 receiving to his credit. However, Michael Cox (2/27/0 rushing) and Peyton Hillis (4/20/0 rushing and 5/50/0 receiving) were also heavily involved during the loss, limiting Williams' upside. The Giants continue to muddle along in this phase of the game as they wait for Rashad Jennings to get healthy. He missed practice (again) on Wednesday and isn't expected back for Week 10.

The Seattle rush D is ranked fourth in the NFL averaging 83.0 yards allowed per game, with three rushing TDs surrendered to date. Oakland managed a mere 18/37/0 rushing at Seattle last week, while Carolina had 31/114/0 rushing two games back.

This is a tough matchup for the plodding Williams and company.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

Curtis Martin did his job vs. the Chargers last week, with 21/72/1 rushing during the game. He's put up 35/100/2 rushing and 3/26/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks (2 games) to rank 21st among fantasy RBs in points per game during that span. You can bet that the Jets will lean on Martin heavily this week with youngster Brooks Bollinger under center as the starter for the 2nd time this season.

Carolina blanketed the Buccaneer's backs last week, holding them to 18/44/1 (a 2.4 yards per carry average) - the performance pushed them to the top of the NFL vs. the rush, averaging only 74 rushing yards allowed per game this year (5 rushing scores surrendered to date). They have given up only 63 rushing yards per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games) - the Panthers' defensive front is an elite unit that is coming into it's own as the 2nd half of the season starts to unfold.

Martin and company will have a tough row to hoe vs. Carolina in Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

LaDainian Tomlinson compiled 100+ yards from scrimmage last week, but didn't score (15/55/0 rushing with 6/47/0 receiving), while Shonn Greene ground out 10/46/0 rushing with 2/9/0 receiving in his junior role in the stable. Tomlinson remains the best fantasy back on this squad - he should be in your starting lineup unless you are absolutely loaded for bear at RB this year.

Cleveland's rush D has been really stout of late, with just 247 yards rushing allowed in their last three contests - New England was held to 20/68/0 last week, while New Orleans could only muster 18/58/0 during week seven. The Browns' defense is playing high-caliber football right now, folks.

Tomlinson and Greene are a productive tandem, but they've got a tough row to hoe this week when they travel to Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Shonn Greene has been near or over 100 yards combined over the last two games (15/77/0 rushing and 2/29/0 receiving vs Miami; 15/64/1 rushing and 6/34/0 receiving at New England) - he's seeing enough action to stay in your fantasy lineups, but he's not near the explosive 32/161/3 we saw vs. Indianapolis three games ago. Joe McKnight is the next-most-productive running back we've seen recently, with 7/23/0 rushing at New England - the Jets are going to live or die with Greene as their featured back.

The Seahawks coughed up a massive 27/243/2 to the Vikings last week, after 22/84/1 flowing to the Lions two weeks ago - usually, this unit is much better than we saw last week, averaging 102.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up to date. Last week looks more like an aberration than a trend.

This looks like a tough matchup for Greene and company.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

Chris Johnson (11/69/0 rushing with 2/32/0 receiving) was the most productive Jets' back last week (which isn't saying much) while Chris Ivory languished with 8/22/0 rushing - the Jets trailed K.C. from the word go and that situation favored Johnson over Ivory in last week's game. Neither guy has been setting the fantasy world on fire this year - with the offense in flux neither guy has been consistently productive top-notch over the first half of the season.

The Steelers' rush D is ranked 11th in the NFL averaging 102.8 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given up to date. They coughed up 18/63/0 to the Ravens last week and 10/63/1 rushing to the Colts two games ago - when your quarterback is throwing six TDs per game it tends to force the other side to abandon the running game.

This looks like a tough matchup for the Jets' backs.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

LaMont Jordan and company were contained by the Chiefs last week - 26/101/0 rushing as a team, with 19/93/0 rushing and 5/25/0 receiving for Jordan. You couldn't say that Jordan was shut down, but he didn't break the game open for his team, either. He was the 3rd best fantasy RB over the past 3 weeks, with 67/282/3 rushing and 14/134/1 receiving in that span - he's been very consistently productive after the first few weeks of 2005.

Denver limited the Eagles to 19/79/0 in their most recent contest, and have averaged only 88 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games) - this season, they average 88.3 rushing yards allowed per game (5th in the league) with 5 rushing scores surrendered to date. The Bronco's defensive front is very solid.

Jordan is productive week in and week out, but he'll have his hands full with the top-tier Broncos - this matchup looks pretty tough for Oakland, despite their home-field advantage.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

The Raiders suffered without Darren McFadden, limping to 11/67/0 rushing (2/46/0 of it generated by JaMarcus Russell) - Justin Fargas got 6/23/0 rushing and Michael Bush ended the day with negative yards rushing (3/-2/0 rushing with 3/15/0 receiving). Here's how bad it was for the Raiders - Bush's 3/15/0 led the team in receiving.

The Panthers are currently 14th in the NFL averaging 99.9 yards given up per game, with 4 rushing scores handed over in 8 weeks. The Cardinals eked out 14/50/1 vs. Carolina 2 weeks ago - they come into this game feeling stingy.

The Raiders are in complete collapse entering the 2nd half, while the Panthers just keep on winning - advantage, Carolina.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Darren McFadden has (another) hamstring injury, so look for Rashad Jennings (15/102/1 rushing with 7/74/0 receiving vs Philadelphia last week) to lead the Raiders' rushing attack this week, barring a quick recovery by McFadden (who is NOT noted for quick healing - McFadden didn't practice on Wednesday). Terrelle Pryor (10/94/0 rushing last week) did practice on Wednesday despite tweaking a knee last weekend - he's always asserted he was pulled out of the game due to the runaway loss vs Philadelphia rather than his physical condition. Pryor has 63/485/1 rushing this year and is a major cog in the Oakland rushing attack.

The Giants' rush D is currently ninth in the NFL averaging 102.2 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores surrendered to date. Philadelphia was held to 19/48/0 two weeks ago, while Minnesota could only muster 14/30/0 the previous contest. The New York defensive front has really elevated their performance during the second quarter of the season.

This looks like a tough matchup for Jennings and Pryor.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Brian Westbrook came back down to Earth vs. the Seahawks, with 20/61/0 rushing and 6/35/0 receiving - he's compiled 42/228/2 rushing and 12/77/0 receiving since coming back from his fractured ribs. With Westbrook in the lineup, the Eagles have one of the premier RB stables in the NFL.

The Giants are not pushovers in the rushing phase of the game, ranking 7th in the NFL averaging 85.4 yards allowed per game, with just 3 rushing TDs handed over to date. They stifled Dallas last week (24/81/0 rushing) and have given up just 211 rushing yards in their last 3 games (70.3 per contest on average). This group is playing at the top of their game entering week 10.

Two top-shelf squads clash in this divisional grudge match - it's always tough in the NFC East this year.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

LeSean McCoy went over 100 yards combined last week (16/95/0 rushing and 3/8/0 receiving) and looked solid in Vick's first game back under center (although Vick did run for a TD with 10/74/1 on the ground, McCoy is the lead back in this backfield and should get 20+ touches per week on the ball). The Eagles' offense looked good with Vick back under center.

The Redskins' rush D is currently ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 112.4 net yards allowed per game. However, they have only given up three rushing TDs this year - that's pretty stout play at the goal line, folks. Detroit managed 25/102/0 rushing in week eight, while Chicago was held to 16/66/0 rushing during week seven.

McCoy and Vick form a powerful tandem, but Washington's rush D is playing well in recent weeks, and they are stubborn in the red zone. This looks like a tough matchup for the Eagles, on the road at divisional rival Washington this week.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Willie Parker was the lead back the last time these teams met (week three) - Pittsburgh had 28/102/1 as a team in that contest, without a handoff to Rashard Mendenhall. Since then, however, Mendenhall has become the team's lead back, with 49/286/1 rushing and 4/23/0 receiving over the past four weeks (19th-ranked fantasy back in the land in the PPR format) and 22/155/0 rushing with 1/9/0 receiving on Monday night vs. the Broncos. Parker is the change-of-pace option now, with 8/28/0 rushing and 1/9/0 receiving over the past four weeks. Mendenhall is the spearhead of the Steelers' rushing attack.

The Bengals' rush D is currently second in the NFL behind the Steelers, averaging 83.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with four rushing TDs given up over eight contests. In the last three games played, the Bengals gave up 177 yards rushing (59 yards rushing allowed per game), with only 17/55/1 allowed to Ray Rice and the Ravens last week, and 12/35/0 spared for the Bears back in week seven. The Bengals are playing very stout rush D entering the second half of the season.

Mendenhall notched his second-best performance of the year vs. Denver's eighth-ranked rush D last week, but he has another tough fight on his hands when the stalwart Bengals' defensive front invades Heinz Field.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Ryan Mathews posted 13/67/0 rushing and 2/5/0 receiving at Kansas City last week to lead his team, and he's handled the lion's share of the work for San Diego over the past three games, with 59/236/0 rushing and 8/36/0 receiving. His sidekicks during that time frame have been Ronnie Brown (13/68/0 rushing and 15/143/0 receiving) and Jackie Battle (9/29/0 rushing). Though the TDs haven't been there for Mathews lately, he's getting plenty of opportunities.

The Buccaneers average just 77.2 yards rushing allowed per game (first in the NFL), with six rushing scores given up to date. Oakland had 11/22/0 rushing last week - Minnesota managed 21/140/1 rushing two weeks ago. Usually, this is a stone-wall sort of rush D.

Seattle compiled 22/86/0 vs. the Eagles last week, with 5 different ball carriers contributing to the pie - Maurice Morris led with 8/43/0; Julius Jones posted 10/41/0 rushing, T.J. Duckett lumbered to 2/4/0; Seneca Wallace contributed 1/2/0, and Koren Robinson was stuck for 1/-4/0 on the ground. This attack is all about the committee, friends. Nobody is the primary ball carrier.

The Dolphins are currently 9th in the NFL averaging 89.6 rushing yards allowed per game, with 5 rushing TDs surrendered to date. Last week, Denver was embarrassed for 12/14/0 on the ground - the Dolphins have given up 273 rushing yards in their last 3 games, though, so last week looks like an aberration and not the beginning of a trend. The Bronco's RB corps suffered 2 season-ending injuries during that game.

Seattle has a tough matchup to deal with on the road in Dolphins' stadium.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

The Seahawks were crushed 3-27 the last time they played the Cardinals (week six) - the rushing attack was completely ineffective with a total of 11/14/0 rushing as a team. Justin Forsett gained the most yardage during the embarrassing loss, and he had 2/4/0 rushing and 1/16/0 receiving to his credit - it wasn't pretty, as you can see. Since week six, Edgerrin James has been released, leaving Forsett and Julius Jones as the primary ball-carriers for Seattle. Against Detroit last week, that meant 16/36/1 rushing and 6/78/0 receiving for Jones, and 1/14/0 rushing with 5/45/0 receiving for Forsett. Jones is the guy the team looks to most often so far, with Forsett getting several opportunities per game as well.

The Cardinals' rush D is currently ranked third in the NFL averaging 93.1 yards allowed per game, with just five rushing TDs given up through eight games. However, over the past four weeks the defensive front has weakened, with 461 rushing yards allowed during that span (four games) - 115.25 per game on average. Chicago could only muster 12/70/0 last week, but Carolina steamrolled to 44/270/2 against the Cardinals two weeks ago. The rush D has been up and down in recent games, as you can see.

The Seahawks' backs don't remind us of the Panthers' - on balance, this looks like a tough matchup for Seattle against an Arizona squad that stumbled two weeks ago but got back on their feet last Sunday.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Last week, out of the team's 12 penalties, eight were on the offensive line, including four on RT Kwame Harris. As a result of the poor line play, the 49ers rushed for 52 yards on 22 carries, and Kevan Barlow, who racked up 101 yards in the win over Tampa Bay, was held to 10/4/0 rushing (with 6/41/0 receiving). Frank Gore didn't fare much better, with 7/33/0 rushing and 1/3/0 receiving. There was a team collapse in this phase of the game last week.

This week, the stumbling 49ers stable will face the league's 7th ranked rush D in terms of yards allowed per game (Chicago averages only 90.5 rushing yards allowed per contest to date), but the top rushing D in terms of TDs allowed this season (tied, with only 2 rushing scores allowed in 8 games). The Bears did stumble against the Saints last week, though, giving up 33/133/1, and that's the only reason we don't rate this matchup "bad" for the 49ers.

A mediocre rushing attack that was abysmal last week clashes with an elite rush defense that showed some chinks in their armor last week - with the Soldier Field faithful behind the Bears, this is a tough matchup for the 49ers' stable.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Frank Gore led the 49ers in rushing (18/94/0) and receiving (7/65/0) vs. the Seahawks, and is currently the 4th ranked fantasy RB in the land in points per game, with 136/629/4 rushing and 32/311/1 receiving to date. He's the engine that drives the offense, and with the team transitioning to a new QB (Shaun Hill), the 49ers figure to lean on Gore as much as ever this week.

The Cardinals are currently ranked 11th in the NFL averaging 92 rushing yards allowed per game, with 5 rushing scores handed over to date. They've averaged 87 rushing yards allowed per game over the past 3 weeks (2 games), with 20/61/0 given up to the Rams in last week's game. It isn't easy to run the ball against the Card's defensive front - they're pretty stout.

Gore is the 49ers' best weapon, but in University of Phoenix Stadium, he'll have a hard time finding much room to roam.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

No matter who has been under center for the 49ers this year, Frank Gore has been a consistent force on offense. So far this year he's put up 164/691/2 rushing with 38/348/2 receiving to rank fourth among all fantasy RBs (PPR format), and Gore went into the bye week on a high note with 29/118/1 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving in the 49ers' 24-16 win over Denver. He is an premier fantasy RB, though his owners wish that Gore got more scoring opportunities. We'll see if Troy Smith can keep the offense rolling in week 10.

How is this for weird - the Rams (two TDs allowed through eight games) are second to the Browns (one TD allowed) in rushing TDs allowed through the first half of the season. In fact, the Rams are currently ranked eighth in the NFL averaging 97.8 rushing yards allowed per game. Tampa Bay managed 21/124/0 rushing back in week seven, while Carolina crawled to 17/25/0 rushing vs. St Louis in week eight. The Rams have a top-ten rush D entering the second half of the 2010 season.

Gore is an excellent back, but he's got a tough assignment to handle this week when the 49ers' divisional rivals come to town.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

'The offensive line did a great job, made it easy for me," said Colin Kaepernick (7/54/2 rushing 'at' Jacksonville) after the big win in London during Week eight, 'I think this is one of the first games that we started that fast.'. Frank Gore also had a big game with 19/71/2 rushing, while Kendall Hunter actually led the team in rushing with 9/84/0 - all told, the 49ers posted 38/221/4 rushing against the Jaguars before heading into their bye week. They should be fresh and confident for this key NFC clash with likely playoff implications.

The Panthers field one of the best rush defenses in the league, averaging 79.1 rushing yards allowed per game (second in the NFL) with just two rushing scores handed out to date. Atlanta was held to 20/78/0 at Carolina last week, while St. Louis had 21/63/0 rushing two weeks ago. This is a shut-down type rush D, folks.

The 49ers have a lot of talent to carry the football, but this week they have some very tough customers coming to Bill Walsh Field.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Frank Gore had an outstanding matchup against the Rams, but didn't deliver much in the way of production (14/49/0 rushing and 1/9/0 receiving). The entire 49ers' offense has been in a funk for several weeks now, and they are not endearing themselves to fantasy owners - for example, two games ago Gore ran for 9/20/0 at Denver with zero receptions. Yuck.

The Saints' rush D is ranked tenth in the NFL averaging 102.1 yards allowed per game, with eight rushing scores given out to date. Carolina had 23/109/1 rushing vs. New Orleans last week; Green Bay managed 19/89/1 rushing two games ago.

This is a tough matchup for the sputtering 49ers rushing attack - New Orleans always plays better at home in the Superdome, and they are at home for this game.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Here's a summation of the Rams' season so far: they can't run the ball very well, but they allow lots of yards and TDs to opposing backs. They can't pass the ball very well, but they allow lots of TDs and more than 200 yards passing to opposing QBs per game, on average. The above is a blueprint for how to go 0-8.

The Rams are tied for 27th in the NFL, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Steven Jackson, after missing several games due to a groin problem, returned to play before the bye week, only to have his back tighten up and knock him out of the game after 8/41/1 rushing and 2/9/0 receiving. "It's not an injury that keeps you out for weeks," Jackson said after the game. "I wish it had happened in practice rather than in a game, but the body is funny like that...We brought the chiropractor down, and he tried to crack me up and stretch me." Brian Leonard stepped in to relieve Jackson, and posted 15/33/0 rushing and 3/31/0 receiving. Leonard has 1 100+ rushing yard game this season, but that was back in week 5 vs. Arizona. Fantasy points have been hard to come by on this squad during 2007. Jackson and Leonard owners will want to monitor Jackson's participation in practices this week, and his injury status on Friday. Jackson practiced with the first team on Wednesday and his bulging disk is said to have responded well to treatment last week - if he doesn't have a setback later in the week, the team expects Jackson to start again this week.

The Saints are 10th in the NFL at the season's midway point, averaging 96.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with 4 rushing TDs given up to date. Over their last 3 games, they've held the opposition to 88 yards rushing or less - the team hasn't given up a 100+ yard rushing game since week 1 of the schedule. Jacksonville posted 23/83/0 vs. the Saints last week.

The Rams have struggled to run the ball behind their battered and patchwork OL - we don't expect to see that change against the stout New Orleans defensive front.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Over the first eight weeks of the season, Steven Jackson is the 18th-ranked fantasy RB in the PPR format, with 172/676/2 rushing and 17/169/0 receiving to his credit. He ran for 23/59/0 with 1/4/0 receiving vs. Carolina in week eight, and posted 22/110/0 rushing with 2/35/0 receiving vs. Tampa Bay in week seven - he is touching the ball well in excess of 20 times in recent weeks, which should lead to some nice numbers on a fairly consistent basis.

The 49ers' rush D currently ranks 10th in the NFL averaging 100.2 rushing yards allowed per game, with only four rushing scores allowed over eight games to date. Denver managed 17/59/1 rushing vs. this group in London during week eight, while Carolina was held to 34/76/0 rushing in week seven - the 49ers' defense is stout in this phase of the game entering the second half of the season.

Jackson is a solid fantasy starter who suffers from a lack of scoring opportunities - against the solid San Francisco group, in San Francisco, he can look forward to a tough divisional matchup in week 10.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Tampa Bay's stable of backs put up a credible effort vs. the Packers, with 16/56/0 rushing for Cadillac Williams, 4/5/0 rushing and 3/54/1 receiving for Derrick Ward, and an assist of 4/20/0 rushing from new QB Josh Freeman. When it was all said-and-done, the Buccaneers had 25/81/0 rushing and a 'W' during Freeman's debut as a starting QB. To date, the Buccaneers are ranked 25th in the NFL averaging 95.9 rushing yards per game as a team, with three rushing TDs to their credit this year.

The Dolphins' rush D is currently ranked fifth in the NFL averaging 94.5 rushing yards allowed per game, but they have coughed up nine rushing TDs over eight games this year. They've been cracking open during the second quarter of the season, though, with 374 rushing yards allowed in their last three contests (124.6 per game on average), with 24/109/1 rushing allowed to the Patriots last week and 40/127/1 given up to the Jets during the previous game. The Dolphins' defensive front has slipped a notch or two.

The Buccaneers have more juice in their offense entering week 10 than they did for most of the first half of the season, but their RB stable is still underwhelming fantasy owners for the most part. This looks like tough matchup for the Buccaneers from our vantage point.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

LeGarette Blount returned to action for the Buccaneers last week, posting 13/72/0 rushing and 2/8/0 receiving as the lead back vs. New Orleans. Kregg Lumpkin played in the third-down/change-of-pace role, with 2/7/0 rushing and 4/31/0 receiving vs. the Saints, and that looks to be the team's plan for the second half of the season given the injuries that have sidelined other players during the first half of the season. Blount averaged 5.5 yards per carry with a long of 27 - he looks ready to go for the stretch run.

The Texans' rush D is ranked fourth in the NFL averaging just 91.4 yards allowed per game, with six rushing TDs handed out over nine games. Clevelands' reserves were held to 21/44/0 rushing last week; Maurice Jones-Drew and company put up 25/84/1 rushing at Houston back in week eight. It's hard to run the football on these guys.

This is a tough matchup for the Buccaneers despite their home-field advantage.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Tennessee rang up 36/178/1 on the ground vs. Green Bay, led by 24/89/1 by Chris Johnson, while his sidekick LenDale White gained 8/77/0 rushing. Johnson also led the team in receiving with 6/72/0 - as usual, the Titans leaned on their RB stable heavily during the game. Over the past 3 weeks, Johnson has racked up 61/334/3 rushing with 12/65/0 receiving (3rd best fantasy back in points per game during that time span); White has amassed 35/239/5 rushing with 2/8/0 receiving (6th best in points per game).

The Bears are currently 5th in the NFL when it come to rush D, averaging 81.8 yards allowed per game, with 8 rushing TDs given away so far this year. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), they've given up 208 rushing yards - they are a bit off pace. Detroit's anemic unit could only manage 26/53/1 rushing last week, though - usually, the Bears make life difficult for opposing RBs.

Strength clashes with strength in this game - in Soldier Field, this looks like a tough matchup for the visiting Titans.

Chris Johnson was held under 100 yards combined for the second straight week at San Diego. He managed 15/59/1 rushing with 5/24/0 receiving last week, after posting 24/66/0 rushing and 2/7/0 receiving vs. Philadelphia. Javon Ringer chipped in 2/9/0 rushing in week seven and 2/3/0 rushing in week eight at San Diego. The team is hoping that Randy Moss' presence on the field going forwards during 2010 will help open up some running lanes for Johnson and Ringer. 'We're 5-3 and winning. We're not having a losing season. I can't really come in here very frustrated,' Johnson said on Wednesday, November 10th. He added he knows the team can improve on running the ball, and they still have time to fix the problems they have had so far. Johnson believes the addition of WR Randy Moss will help him find more room to run. 'I know for a fact they can't put all those guys in the box with that guy out there' he said.

Miami is in the middle of the NFL range with an average of 107.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with four rushing TDs given up to date over eight games. Baltimore threw down for 39/146/0 rushing last week, while Cincinnati posted 26/106/0 rushing in week eight.

Johnson is a phenomenal athlete but he needs some help from other positions to help shake him loose entering the second half of the 2010 season. In the Dolphins' house, holes may be hard to come by - advantage, Miami.

Chris Johnson has posted 55/435/3 rushing and 7/25/0 receiving in his last three games. Last week he threw down for 16/141/1 rushing and 4/4/0 receiving vs. the Bears' top-shelf rush D - start him if you've got him.

The Dolphins rank third in the NFL averaging 83.9 rushing yards allowed per game, with three rushing scores given away this year - Indianapolis managed 26/97/0 rushing last week, while the Jets had 21/105/0 rushing vs. Miami two weeks ago.

Johnson is too hot to sit (he's in the top-ten of our first-cut rankings by David Dodds as of Wednesday, November 7), but he does have a tougher-than-usual matchup this week.

Washington has been up and down in this phase of the game during recent weeks, turning in a half-decent game vs. the Eagles last Sunday with 29/78/2 rushing (21/67/1 for Clinton Portis; Mike Sellers snagged the other TD with 1/1/1) after a disastrous effort vs. NYG 2 weeks ago (4/9/0 rushing with 3/13/0 receiving for Portis that week). Portis has 44/177/4 rushing and 7/33/0 receiving to his credit during the last 3 weeks (11th best fantasy RB during that span of time).

Tampa Bay is 2nd in the NFL allowing an average of 75.9 rushing yards per game this season, with 6 rushing scores surrendered to date. They were hit for 32/77/2 by the Panthers last week - 1/3 of the TDs this defensive front has allowed were scored by Stephen Davis last week. The team has given up 117.5 rushing yards per game on average over the past 3 weeks (2 games) - the Bucs have slipped somewhat vs. the rush during recent contests.

Tampa has fallen off their league-leading pace during recent matchups, but the Redskins' erratic attack is not among the NFL's strongest - and Tampa has the 12th man on their side this week. Advantage, Tampa Bay.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Portis, who suffered a concussion Sunday, still has a headache and does not remember the play on which he was hurt. 'I'd say he's doubtful for this week,' coach Jim Zorn said after the game. 'That's just my opinion.' With Portis sidelined early on last Sunday, Ladell Betts shouldered the load for Washington, with 15/70/1 rushing and 1/23/0 receiving - all told, the Redskins ran for 32/136/1 last week (Jason Campbell kicked in 5/40/0 rushing, while Rock Cartwright had 7/16/0 rushing and 1/-1/0 receiving). Betts figures to keep Portis' job until Portis gets his head screwed back on straight.

The Broncos were rocked for 29/173/0 rushing last week (a 6.0 yards per carry average), and they gave up 35/125/1 to Baltimore the week prior - over the last four weeks (three games), Denver has coughed up 371 yards rushing (123.6 yards per contest). They've skidded to eighth-ranked in the NFL this season, now averaging 97 yards rushing allowed per game - but they are still stingy in the red zone, with just three rushing scores handed over in eight games.

The Redskins' attack is currently 23rd in the NFL averaging 98.8 rushing yards per game, with only three rushing TDs this year - against the normally-stubborn Broncos, they'll have a hard time improving either statistical category this week.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

After Ryan Torain struggled to move the ball at Buffalo two weeks ago (8/14/0 rushing with 1/6/0 receiving), Roy Helu (3/20/0 receiving at Buffalo) got the call to start for Washington last week. He was a one-week wonder in PPR leagues last week as John Beck did a bunch of 'long-handoff' dump passes to Helu vs. San Francisco. Helu led the team in rushing (10/41/0) and receiving (14/105/0) vs. San Francisco last week. In fact, Helu played 64 of 67 offensive snaps in week nine, and looks like the new flavor-of-the-month for Mike Shanahan and the Redskins. We'll see how he does this week now that NFL defensive coordinators have some tape on him at the NFL level.

The Dolphins limited Kansas City's many-headed-monster to 34/116/0 rushing last week, and cramped the Giants' style two weeks ago (23/58/0 rushing allowed). To date, Miami ranks 14th in the NFL with an average of 110.6 rushing yards allowed per game, but they are tied for second in the NFL with the Ravens and Lions with just three rushing scores given up over eight contests.

Helu had an explosive debut as the Redskins' featured back, but this week he faces another top defensive squad, making this a tough matchup for him.

Weather: Raymond James Stadium expects a high of 79F with a low of 62F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday - it should be a great day to play and watch some pro football. Weather doesn't look like a major factor in this matchup.

Atlanta pounded Tampa Bay 56-14 on Thursday night, September 18 - three different Falcons ran in TDs on the Buccaneers (the Falcons had 36/144/3 rushing as a team). Steven Jackson had 14/54/1 rushing; Antone Smith popped one of his long TDs and finished with 4/50/1 rushing; and Devin Hester gained 1/20/1 rushing with 1/25/0 receiving. Atlanta finished the game at 2-1.

Since this dominating win, the Falcons have struggled due to a disintegrated offensive line and they stand at 2-6 (they haven't won since September 18). Atlanta is currently 25th in the NFL averaging 95.6 yards rushing generated per game, with seven total rushing scores to their credit. Steven Jackson had his 'best' game of the year against the Lions in London two weeks ago, with 18/60/1 rushing and zero receptions - it was the first time this year Jackson has gotten to the 60-yards-gained plateau. Really.

The Buccaneers' rush D is ranked 18th in the NFL averaging 114.6 yards allowed per game, with seven rushing scores given out to date. They coughed up just 28/50/0 to the Browns last week, though; Minnesota had 22/97/0 rushing at Tampa two games back. Of late, the Tampa rush D has tightened up their grip on opposing backs considerably.

This looks like a bad week to insert a Falcons' back in your lineup.

Weather: This game will be played in the Georgia Dome - weather won't be a factor indoors.

Baltimore has lost three straight games and four of their last five contests - a lot of the blame has to be laid at the feet of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, who are presiding over a rushing attack that averages just 2.8 yards per carry, and only 71.6 yards rushing per game. At Cleveland last week Rice had 11/17/0 rushing (1.5 yards per carry) and 3/21/0 receiving, while Pierce posted 6/11/0 rushing and zero receptions. 'We have to figure that out,' coach Harbaugh said after the game. 'We can not run the ball right now. That's a good front, they did a great job. We felt by spreading them out we would give ourselves a chance to run the ball. For the most part, they stayed in a seven-man box against the spread look we gave them...We aren't making plays with the run, making enough runs to open up the defense and give us a chance. It's tough to run against that look. I still think we can run against anyone, but that was the story of the game.' Unless and until the Ravens' offensive line starts playing better in this phase of the game, we recommend considering other options for your fantasy starters.

The Bengals' rush D is quite good this year, averaging 103.9 yards allowed per game (10th in the NFL) with just four rushing scores given up to date. Last week, Miami put up 30/157/1 rushing on this group, though, while the Jets were held to 24/93/0 rushing two weeks ago.

A pathetic rushing attack clashes with a top ten defense in this one - advantage, Cincinnati.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

Anthony Dixon had 22/44/0 rushing at the Jets two weeks ago, while Bryce Brown posted 7/15/0 rushing and saw three targets for zero receptions. The Bills' running back position is in slow-motion while Fred Jackson is out (C.J. Spiller broke his collarbone and is likely done for the season). We advise fantasy owners to consider other options while the team struggles to go over 2.0 yards per carry with their reserve backs in play.

The Chiefs' rush D is ranked 19th in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game (116.1), but they have given up zero rushing scores this entire season. The Jets managed 30/139/0 rushing at K.C. two weeks ago; St. Louis posted 19/84/0 there two games ago.

Advantage, Kansas City.

Weather: The forecast for Ralph Wilson Stadium is pretty nice for a November day in upstate New York - 57F for a high, 41F for a low, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down hard around game-time, footing and ball handling could be issues for both teams.

Arizona was up 31-7 over Chicago by half-time last week, necessarily limiting the number of rushing plays called by the Bears last week to 12 (12/70/0). Matt Forte did gain ground in big chunks when he had the chance, with a long run of 16 and a long reception of 28 yards, and managed to compile over 100 yards in offense during the game (5/33/0 rushing with 6/74/0 receiving). With backup RB Garrett Wolfe suffering a lacerated kidney last week (he's still in the hospital as of Tuesday morning, and will be out up to a month), Forte is going to have to continue to carry a big load for the Bears during November. He's the 14th-ranked fantasy RB in points per game over the last four weeks, with 52/170/2 rushing and 17/167/0 receiving to his credit.

The 49ers have been up and down in this phase over the last two weeks, limiting the Colts' stable to 21/61/0 in their close loss to Indianapolis (14-18), but they were blown up by Chris Johnson and the Titans last week (34/152/3 surrendered). To date, the 49ers average 93.2 rushing yards allowed per game (4th in the NFL), with eight rushing TDs given up over eight games - the bad performance against the Titans looks like an outlier rather than the rule, though you can be sure coach Mike Singletary is none-too-happy about last week's game.

Forte is a great dual-threat back, but the Bears' attack is 28th in the NFL averaging just 90.5 yards per game (with a respectable-but-not-outstanding average of 4.0 yards per carry this season) - this looks like a bad matchup for the Bears in this phase of the game.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Chicago finally found a team they could rush for more than 100 yards against - the league-worst Buffalo Bills allowed them 31/105/1 last week. However, neither Matt Forte (14/49/0 rushing with 3/12/0 receiving) or Chester Taylor (10/13/1 rushing with 1/14/0 receiving) set their fantasy owners' hearts to racing despite the easy matchup. At least Taylor found the end-zone for his owners.

Minnesota clamped down on the Cardinals' backs last week, allowing just 21/53/0 rushing during the contest. However, New England ground out 27/122/3 against the Vikings two weeks ago - they've been up and down in this phase of the game heading into the second half of the season. To date, Minnesota is seventh in the NFL averaging 96.2 rushing yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given away. Excepting the New England debacle, the defensive front has played stoutly in this phase of the game.

Chicago's rushing attack is anemic, while the Vikings' defensive front got their swagger back last week and they are usually pretty tough (despite what happened at Foxboro) - advantage, Minnesota.

Weather: The forecast for Soldier Field calls for a high of 59F with a low of 45F and a 30% chance of rain. If the showers dump a lot of rain on the field around game time, footing and ball handling will be larger issues than usual for both teams. At this time of year, the "Windy City" usually lives up to its' nickname - passing accuracy could suffer if wind conditions are harsh. Owners of 49ers and Bears will want to check a shorter-term forecast on Friday or Saturday before setting their final lineups this week.

Rudi Johnson returned to the field of play last week, but he did not return to the top of the fantasy RB leader board, with a mere 9/11/0 rushing and 1/6/0 receiving vs. the Buffalo Bills. Kenny Watson didn't fare much better on the ground, with 4/11/0 rushing during the game (he did lead the team in receiving, with 7/90/0). The Bengal's top back, Johnson, is banged up, and so is their best OT, Willie Anderson (knee injury, inactive last week) - the injuries are sucking the life out of the Bengals' rushing attack.

The Ravens got their heads handed to them by Ben Roethlisberger, but they did contain Willie Parker, holding him to 23/42/0 rushing (Pittsburgh had 39/90/0 rushing as a team last week). They are the 3rd ranked rush D in the land, averaging 74.1 yards allowed per game, and have only given up 2 rushing scores to date. This unit is stingy with the yards and extremely hard to score on, week in and week out.

This is the first matchup of these divisional rivals for 2015. Cleveland brings in an underwhelming rushing attack that currently averages 3.5 yards per carry and is fifth-least in the NFL with 741 rushing yards as a team so far this year. Not too good. The team had 17/69/0 rushing as a team last week; Isaiah Crowell posted 10/38/0 rushing with 3/26/0 receiving, while Duke Johnson had 3/0/0 rushing but managed to snag the only TD scored by Cleveland with two targets for 2/38/1 receiving. It was a rare score for a Cleveland back - Crowell has 28/61/0 rushing and 4/38/0 receiving over the last three games (51st fantasy back in the land since week seven) while Johnson has handled 10/20/0 rushing but 11/179/1 receiving during that time span.

The Steelers' rush D is ranked 12th in the NFL averaging 101.7 yards allowed per game, and they are tied for second-least rushing scores handed over so far with just three given out this season. Last week, Oakland managed 25/139/1 rushing at Pittsburgh, while the Steelers' D limited Cincinnati to 23/78/0 rushing two games ago. This is a hard-nosed defense especially in the red zone.

This is a bad matchup for the lack-luster Browns' stable of backs.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

Felix Jones and Marion Barber have gone nowhere fast since Tony Romo was lost for the season. Jones has recorded 22/73/0 rushing and 6/41/0 receiving over the last three games, while Barber has 19/36/1 rushing and 1/7/0 receiving. Last week, Jones went 5/16/0 rushing with zero receptions at Green Bay; Barber had 6/14/0 rushing with zero receptions. The high point of Jones' showings over the last three games was against the Giants at Dallas, when he managed 9/35/0 rushing and 3/27/0 receiving. Yuck.

The last time the Giants played Dallas, in week seven, they allowed 13/41/0 rushing in Dallas Cowboys' Stadium. Seattle was allowed 14/49/0 rushing last week - over the past four weeks (three games), the Giants have given up just 154 yards rushing. They are shutting down their opponents in this phase of the game.

This is a bad matchup for a team transitioning to a new head coach/building for next season.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

The Broncos' backs were an afterthought in the 44-7 drubbing that Denver took last week - Travis Henry managed 9/31/0 rushing and 2/13/0 receiving before he landed wrong on his hip and exited the game. Selvin Young eked out 6/12/0 rushing and 2/15/0 receiving out of his 8 touches during the game. Henry has not posted 100 or more yards rushing over the team's last 4 games - he's in a slump right now.

The Chiefs held Green Bay to 27/78/0 rushing last week, and have averaged 70.
3 yards rushing allowed per game over their last 3 contests - they are playing much better football than their season average of 104.9 rushing yards allowed per game would indicate. The team has been stingy with TDs all year long, only allowing 3 rushing TDs to date. This defensive front is making life hard for opposing backs heading into the second half of the season.

Henry and company are slumping just as the Chiefs hit their stride - in Arrowhead Stadium, this looks like a bad matchup for the sagging Denver rushing attack.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

The Ravens field an awesome rush D, that allows just 64.3 yards per game on the ground, with a mere 1 rushing score allowed to date. Cleveland managed to hit that average last week, with 23/64/0 rushing vs. their division rival. These guys are one of the best defensive squads in the NFL.

The Texans' best back, Steve Slaton, is a rookie who has managed 48/195/2 rushing and 13/78/0 receiving over the past 3 weeks. His backup is the fragile Ahman Green, who didn't play last week due to a thigh injury suffered 2 weeks ago (nobody was surprised when Green sat out). Speaking of last week, Slaton gained 16/62/0 rushing and 8/56/0 receiving for a credible performance against the strong Vikings' defensive front. He isn't on the level of Clinton Portis, but he's not comparable to Rudi Johnson, either.

Anytime you play the Ravens, you are in for a tough fight - Slaton has a hard fight in front of him this week.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Arian Foster lasted just five snaps last week before irritating his back and leaving the game - he's also nursing a hamstring injury entering Week 10, and appears like a shaky option for this upcoming game. Ben Tate fought through four injured ribs (reportedly cracked), to post 22/81/0 rushing vs. Indianapolis last week - Dennis Johnson chipped in 8/36/0 rushing in a change-of-pace role while Foster stood on the sidelines in street clothes. If Foster can't play or plays only a handful of snaps again this week (he skipped Wednesday's practice to consult with doctors about his back), look for Tate and Johnson to carry the load again. Realize that the team will also be adjusting to a new head coach as Gary Kubiak is recovering from a mini-stroke and Wade Phillips will be taking the reins here for the foreseeable future.

The Cardinals' rush D is stout this year, averaging just 88.2 yards allowed per game, with just three rushing scores given out to date. Two weeks ago, Atlanta eked out a mere 14/27/0 rushing at Arizona; Seattle was an outlier with 32/135/1 rushing there in Arizona back in Week seven.

This looks like a bad matchup for the ailing Texans.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

Joseph Addai returned to the lineup last week, but was ineffective against the Patriots, with a mere 17/32/0 rushing and 2/10/0 receiving - Dominic Rhodes could only scrape up 4/15/0 on the ground, adding 1/7/0 receiving. The Colts' rushing attack is mired at #32 in the NFL, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, and they did way worse last week, with 21/47/0 rushing (2.2 yards per carry). There isn't much that is positive to say here.

The Steelers field the league's 3rd ranked rushing D, averaging 70.1 yards given up per game, with just 3 rushing scores handed over to date. Last week, the top back in the NFL, Clinton Portis, eked out 13/51/0 rushing vs. Pittsburgh (Washington had 15/60/0 as a team). Pittsburgh has an elite rush D, folks.

The worst rushing attack in the league faces (arguably) the best rush defense in the league on Sunday, in Heinz Field - advantage, Pittsburgh.

Weather: Inside the RCA Dome, conditions should be perfect - weather isn't an issue in this matchup.

The Jaguars were in a chase position vs. the Saints for most of the afternoon last week, so their backs didn't see a ton of carries during the game - Fred Taylor led the charge with 13/54/0 rushing and 1/4/0 receiving, while Maurice Jones-Drew posted 5/28/0 rushing and 2/31/0 receiving during the contest. It wasn't the most exciting day to be invested in the Jacksonville RB stable. Taylor hasn't gained more than 68 yards rushing over the past 3 weeks, with 0 TDs, while Jones-Drew has only 1 TD (3 weeks ago), and has maxed out at 69 yards combined during the same time-frame. Teams are keying on the Jacksonville backs and daring Quinn Gray to pass the ball.

The Titans sport the nation's top rush D, averaging 66 yards allowed per game, with only 3 rushing scores surrendered to date. Carolina's squad ground out 22/78/0 vs. Tennessee last week - it simply isn't easy to run the ball against the Titans.

The Titans have the home field advantage in this key divisional game, and the superior unit in this phase of the game. This is a bad week to have a Jaguar in your lineup.

Weather: Alltel Stadium expects a high of 74F and a low of 63F with a 10% chance for rain - sounds like great football weather to us.

The Patriots' stable of backs ran into trouble last Sunday, being held to 20/68/0 as a team by the Cleveland Browns. Danny Woodhead was the most productive of the backs thanks to his dual-threat nature - he posted 9/54/0 rushing and 2/38/0 receiving during the contest. Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis disappointed his fantasy owners with an anemic 9/14/0 rushing during the contest, one week after pumping in two rushing scores vs. Minnesota (17/112/2 rushing, with 1/11/0 receiving). Woodhead posted 6/13/1 rushing and 5/45/0 receiving vs. Minnesota two weeks ago. The Patriots' rushing attack has run hot and cold recently, as you can see.

The Steelers make most teams' running backs look cold as ice - Pittsburgh leads the NFL by over 20 yards per game in terms of average rushing yards allowed per contest (58.2 on average - the Giants are second this year while averaging 80.9 rushing yards allowed per game). Pittsburgh has also only allowed three rushing TDs over eight contests. Cedric Benson managed 18/54/1 rushing last week; New Orleans could only muster 21/30/0 two weeks ago.

The Patriots' tandem of backs has been productive in streaks, but they've got a bad matchup to deal with this week when the Patriots visit Heinz Field.

Weather: The forecast for Opa Locka, FLA calls for a high of 82F with a low of 70F and a 30% chance for rain. If the rain falls thickly around game time, field conditions could get sloppy and the ball would be harder to handle than usual.

The Giants' muddled backfield remained a murky mess for fantasy owners last week - Rashad Jennings saw the most work with 13/48/0 rushing (subtracting 1/-1/0 receiving), followed by Andre Williams (7/30/0 rushing with 1/7/0 receiving), Orleans Darkwa (6/23/0 rushing) and Shane Vereen (6/14/0 rushing with 4/29/1 receiving). Because of the extensive work-sharing it's hard to find the best fantasy option out of this backfield in any given week.

The Patriots' rush D is ranked third in the NFL averaging 89.2 yards allowed per game, with four rushing scores handed out to date. They held Washington to 15/37/0 rushing last week and limited Miami to 13/15/1 rushing two games ago.

This is a bad matchup for the gaggle of New York backs.

Weather: Giants' Stadium expects perfect weather on Sunday - 64F for a high, with 46F for a low, and a 0% chance for rain. It doesn't get much nicer than that in November, folks. Weather isn't expected to impact this game much, as you can see.

The Jets could only muster 24/51/0 against the Patriots back in week 2, with Kevan Barlow gaining 14/42/0. Since then, though, Leon Washington has emerged as the team's top ground gainer, with 35/180/2 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving during the last 3 weeks (2 games). He posted 15/51/0 against the Browns before the bye week (Kevan Barlow assisted with 5/16/0 rushing and 1/8/0 receiving). The Jets enter the second half of the season averaging 3.6 yards per carry, which is 26th in the NFL.

The Patriots are 3rd in the NFL averaging 75.1 rushing yards allowed per game, with only 4 rushing TDs handed over to date. They held Indy's stable to 25/53/1 last week, and have averaged 57.6 rushing yards allowed per game over their last 3 contests. The Patriots are very tough on opposing rushers.

This is a bad matchup for the Jets' youthful stable.

Weather: Charlotte expects a high of 73F with a low of 46F and a 10% chance for rain - the sky should be "Carolina Blue", making a beautiful dome to sit under during the football game. Weather won't be much of a factor for either team if this forecast holds up.

The Raiders could only muster 30/85/0 rushing the last time they faced the Broncos (week 6), led by LaMont Jordan's 23/60/0 effort. Not much has changed for the Raiders' offense since then (they scored 3 points vs. Denver in week 6 and 0 in week 9 vs. Seattle). Jordan burst for 9/63/0 rushing and 1/10/0 receiving in his return to the top of the depth chart vs. Seattle, but the offense faltered in the face of 9 QB sacks allowed - there just isn't much life in the Oakland offense right now, any way you slice it.

The Denver Broncos are 6th in the NFL allowing an average of 91.3 passing yards per game, and tied for 1st with only 1 rushing score given up to date. Nobody except Willie Parker has found pay dirt against these guys via rushing the ball (the Steelers did manage 19/96/1 against Denver last week). There were numerous injuries to Bronco defenders last week (Al Wilson and John Lynch collided and knocked each other out of the game), which is an item to pay attention to this week - but this group is formidable even if they are banged up coming into the showdown vs. Oakland.

This is a bad matchup for the struggling Raider offense.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

Darren McFadden: 13/20/0 rushing and 4/47/0 receiving at Seattle last week. Maurice Jones-Drew: 2/-2/0 rushing with 1/11/0 receiving at Seattle last week. Fantasy owners who were forced to start either of these bums: now bald from pulling their hair out.

The Broncos' rush D is ranked first in the NFL averaging 71.6 yards allowed per game, with five rushing scores given up to date. New England managed 25/66/0 rushing last week; San Diego had 15/61/0 rushing two games ago.

This is (another) bad week to rely on a Raiders' running back.

Weather: McAfee Coliseum expects a high of 64F with a low of 50F and a 10% chance for rain on Sunday - a cool, crisp autumn day is on tap by the Bay - perfect football weather, in other words.

The Eagles ran the ball 23 times for 45 yards and 0 scores vs. the Redskins last week. Brian Westbrook's best day rushing the ball this year was week 2 vs. the lame 49ers, and he totaled 15/89/0 on the ground - he hasn't cracked 50+ yards rushing during the past 5 games. The Eagles simply don't do much in this phase of the game - Westbrook sees a lot of action in the passing game, though, with 43/478/4 receiving to date (95/328/1 rushing).

The last time these teams played each other, in week 5, the Eagles basically did without any semblance of a rushing game, putting up 9/19/0 as a team. The Cowboys have been stout in this phase of the game all year long, allowing only 89.1 rushing yards per game on average (6th in the NFL), with 2 rushing scores given up to date. Over the past 3 weeks (2 games), they've averaged 71.5 rushing yards per game allowed, holding the punchless Cardinals to 24/71/0 back in week 8. These guys form one of the best defensive fronts in the league.

The Eagles are dead last in the NFL at rushing the ball, while the Cowboys sport one of the elite rush defenses in the land this year. The Eagles will likely try to run more than they did earlier in the year but that's a bad matchup in our book.

Weather: Lincoln Financial Field expects a high of 66F and a low of 46F on Monday, with a 30% chance for rain. If the rain comes down thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more difficult than usual for both teams (but at least the Eagles have moved on from the treacherous old field at Veterans Stadium - nothing could have been worse than that seamy surface!).

Rashard Mendenhall has slowed down quite a bit over the past three games, with 39/154/1 rushing and eight targets for 5/30/0 receiving to his credit during that time span. He's carried the ball 13 times in each of the last two games, with 13/52/1 rushing (1/3/0 receiving) vs. Baltimore last week and 13/70/0 rushing and 3/22/0 receiving vs. New England two weeks ago. The Steelers have leaned on the passing game big-time recently, with 50 attempts vs. New England (23 rushes called) and 37 passes attempted vs. Baltimore (20 rushes called). Mendenhall is getting a smaller piece of the offensive pie in recent weeks, friends.

The Bengals field the league's second-ranked rush D, currently averaging 84.5 yards allowed per contest (but they have coughed up six rushing scores so far this year). Tennessee could only muster 20/78/0 rushing last week - Seattle was held to 20/61/1 rushing two weeks ago. It isn't easy to move the ball against the Bengals' defensive front.

This looks like a bad matchup for the visiting Mendenhall and company.

Weather: The Steeler's home stadium expects a high of 62F with a low of 49F and a 10% chance of rain on Sunday night - Heinz Field should be a nice venue to take in and play in a football game this week. Weather won't be a huge factor in this game if the forecast holds up.

LaDainian Tomlinson has started to come on in recent weeks, with 71/219/2 rushing and 7/40/0 receiving to his credit (26th-best fantasy RB in the land during the past four weeks) - the Chargers continue to feed him the ball despite relatively modest results. He didn't do well against the Giants last week (12/22/0 rushing with 2/8/0 receiving), but did punch in two scores vs. Oakland two weeks ago (18/56/2 rushing in that contest). Darren Sproles had 5/38/0 rushing vs. Oakland and 1/1/0 rushing with 5/22/0 receiving vs. the Giants. Neither back is burning up fantasy scoreboards right now, but Tomlinson still has some good fantasy games in him from time to time.

The Eagles boast of the league's 10th-ranked rush D, averaging 99.8 rushing yards allowed per game, with just five rushing scores allowed in the past eight contests. New York's stable was held out of the end zone two weeks ago(29/116/0), while the Cowboys managed one score last week (23/76/1 rushing as a team). Most of the time, it is pretty difficult to run the ball against Philadelphia.

Tomlinson and company have not fared particularly well when facing top-shelf rush Ds this year - and the Eagles have a top-shelf unit. Advantage, Philadelphia.

Marshawn Lynch's gimpy back wasn't an issue during week nine, and he gashed the Cowboys for 23/135/1 rushing (with 1/8/0 receiving) at Dallas last week. He has scored a rushing TD in each of his last four appearances (16/24/1 with zero receptions vs. Cincinnati, 12/98/1 rushing with 4/33/0 receiving at the New York Giants, and 8/24/1 rushing with 3/33/0 receiving vs. Atlanta) - Lynch is a stable presence in goal line situations, which helps offset the roller-coaster results from game to game as far as rushing yardage is concerned. Leon Washington (3/16/0 rushing last week) and Justin Forsett (2/8/0 rushing last week) handled the ball just five times at Dallas, vs. Lynch's 23 carries. Lynch is the workhorse here when healthy, friends.

The Ravens' rush D is among the league's stingiest, ranking third in yards allowed per game (86.8), with just three rushing TDs allowed through eight contests (tied for second-least in the NFL behind the 49ers' zero rushing TDs allowed). Pittsburgh managed 20/70/1 rushing on Sunday Night Football; Arizona had 30/109/1 rushing two weeks ago at Baltimore - of late, there have been a few cracks appearing at the goal line, but this is still an elite defensive front, folks.

Lynch and company have a bad matchup in front of them this week.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Both of these divisional rivals come into this contest off a bye week of rest - it should be a slobber-knocker of a contest between the top two teams in the NFC West. Marshawn Lynch went into the Week Nine bye with 103/375/2 rushing and 12/72/0 receiving to his credit (39th-ranked fantasy back after nine weeks played), but had posted 21/71/0 rushing and 2/11/0 receiving in an all-around effort at Dallas in Week Eight. Thomas Rawls (4/10/0 rushing Week Eight) has proven to be a valuable backup this season, but while Lynch is healthy Rawls' limited change-of-pace role has him off fantasy owners' radars.

The Cardinals' rush D is ranked fourth in the NFL averaging 90.1 yards allowed per game, and they are stingy with rushing TDs having allowed just three to date. Cleveland was smothered in Week Eight (20/39/0 rushing as a team), while two games ago Baltimore was held to 16/55/1 rushing. This group is playing even better than their top-five season average indicates.

Advantage, Arizona.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

"Steven (Jackson) has to give us a full day's work this week or he'll not play," coach Jim Haslett said on Tuesday. "We can't go into the game not knowing whether he can play or not. We're going to make sure he can actually go in practice, and not just jog through. He's going to have to give us a full day's work, and I think he'll feel better about it also." Backup Antonio Pittman is iffy to play due to a hamstring/leg injury, leaving the Rams down to (possibly) Kenneth Darby and newly-signed Samkon Gado. Uh oh, Rams fans. Jackson commented on his poor game (7/17/0 rushing) thusly: "I hate to take an injury as an excuse," Jackson said. "I didn't play like myself. I'm very down right now. I didn't help my team out, and it's really disappointing. And it's something that I'm definitely going to use as motivation for the rest of the season." Stay tuned to Footballguys.com's players in the news to see who may be manning the RB position in week 10. According to reports out of St. Louis, Pittman is expected to miss the Jets game (Week 10) with a hamstring injury. Travis Minor (concussion) did not pass his neuro-psyche test Tuesday and will be tested again Friday. So, if Jackson can't practice fully this week, Kenneth Darby and Samkon Gado will have to carry the load vs. the Jets.

The Jets' rush D has become a top unit as the year goes along - they are currently 4th in the NFL averaging 76 rushing yards allowed per game, and have coughed up 7 rushing TDs to date. Last week, they shut down the Bills' tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson (17/30/0) - these guys are for real.

The Rams' offense fell apart vs. Arizona in this phase of the game, and they face a top shelf team in the D's house this week - advantage, New York.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Steven Jackson (7/23/0 rushing with 2/22/0 receiving in London vs. New England) is fading away in St. Louis, while Daryl Richardson (7/53/0 rushing with 4/-3/0 receiving) is coming on for the Rams. This has become a full-blown worksharing arrangement, which is hampering both players' fantasy value.

This week, the Rams face divisional rival San Francisco, which brings the league's fifth-ranked rush D to the dance, averaging 87.4 yards rushing allowed per game, with just two rushing scores allowed to date. Most recently, the Cardinals were limited to 9/7/0 rushing by the 49ers. Enough said.

This is a bad matchup for both Jackson and Richardson.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Tre Mason was the lead back for the Rams in San Francisco, with 19/65/0 rushing and 1/-8/0 receiving to his credit, while Benny Cunningham posted 4/10/0 rushing and 3/38/0 receiving (to lead the team) in a change-of-pace role. Zac Stacy was inactive last weekend and seems stuck in the reserve role as of mid-season. None of the three have been particularly compelling fantasy options (the Rams are 22nd in the NFL averaging 100.9 rushing yards per game as a team, with four rushing scores through eight games played).

The Arizona rush D is ranked third in the NFL currently, averaging 79.6 yards allowed per game with four rushing scores given away this season. They allowed 26/110/0 rushing to the Eagles two weeks ago and 25/92/0 to the Cowboys last week - Arizona broke DeMarco Murray's streak of 100-yards rushing games at eight (holding Murray to 19//79/0 rushing and 4/11/0 receiving).

This looks like a bad week to invest in a Rams' back, on the road to Arizona's house.

Weather: Surprise - it's supposed to rain in Seattle on Sunday! No kidding, the forecast for Qwest Field calls for a high of 48F with a low of 40F and a 60% chance for rain. If the precipitation falls thickly around game time, footing and ball handling will be more tricky than usual for both teams.

Travis Henry managed to get back in the game last week, with 19/67/0 rushing (LenDale White added 7/25/0 rushing and 2/1/0 receiving to the effort). While Henry has bounced around over the past 3 weeks, he's compiled a paltry 34/96/0 rushing to rank 43rd in fantasy points per game during that span (2 games). He showed us a spark of talent and speed a few weeks back (32/178/1 vs. Washington back in week 6), only to fail to deliver on that promise during following weeks.

The Ravens sport the league's 2nd ranked rush D, averaging 69.3 yards allowed per game, with only 2 rushing scores given up to date. The Bengals blew that curve a tad last week, with 22/92/1 rushing, but not many teams get within spitting distance of 100 yards rushing vs. the Ravens.

Tennessee's rushing attack is generally anemic as we go into the second half of the season - vs. Houston Bishop Sankey had 9/35/0 rushing and 4/25/0 receiving to his credit as the lead runner while the team amassed 13/36/0 rushing. Two games back, the Titans eked out 22/76/0 rushing (3.5 yards per carry) led by Sankey's 16/56/0 on the ground. There simply isn't much fantasy juice to be had from the Titans' backs.

The Ravens' rush D is ranked sixth in the NFL averaging 86.4 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores handed out. Pittsburgh posted 25/55/0 rushing vs. the Ravens last week; Cincinnati had an anomalous 34/111/3 rushing vs. Baltimore two games back.